Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman has good reason for touting his defensive line as an asset heading into the 2024 season.
It starts with experience, as in three super-seniors, two of whom have been with the program for six years. And then there is a talented group of young defensive ends that may have coordinator Joe Klanderman re-examining the switch two years ago to a three-man front.
Even the nose tackle position, a concern after returning starter Uso Seumalo missed most of spring practice and junior college transfer Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder did not enroll at semester as expected, seems to have sorted itself out.
“We had two six-year guys decide to come back at defensive end, which was big for us,” Klieman said of returning starter Brendan Mott and Cody Stufflebean, who was a key member of last year’s rotation. “So, we’re going to rotate seven or eight guys in the defensive line, and we have a lot of depth there.”
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Mott, a 6-foot-5, 244-pound former walk-on, ranked sixth in the Big 12 last year with six sacks, and he could well end up as the Wildcats’ third-leading pass rusher. Sophomore Tobi Osunsanmi, a converted linebacker, and 6-6, 282-pound redshirt freshman Chiddi Obiazor, both can get to the quarterback as well.
Here is how K-State’s defensive line might break down in 2024.
Is it time to go back to a four-man front?
Kansas State defensive end Brendan Mott (38) pressures Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson during last year’s game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
The lack of depth at nose tackle in the spring led Klanderman to…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kansas-state-football-suddenly-depth-133646781.html
Author : The Topeka Capital-Journal
Publish date : 2024-07-13 13:36:46
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