Joe on K-State Sports

Some NFL draft talk and a there's a new tight end on the roster. Let's see what the buzz is... “'It wouldn’t be a complete surprise if they don’t have anybody drafted this year,' ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper said in a conference call Wednesday. 'Maybe one sneaks into the later rounds, but that would be it.'” ...Wichita Eagle, April 15 JM:  K-State has had a player drafted in the NFL draft for 26 straight years.  It looks like the streak may be in jeopardy in 2020. "When he was first asked if any former K-State players were on his radar of draft prospects, he provided a one-word answer: 'No. Most of them are borderline draftable or undrafted free agents,' Kiper said." ...Wichita Eagle, April 15 JM:  Borderline draftable?  So you're saying there's a chance? "Kiper mentioned three former K-State football players as potential late-round selections: running back James Gilbert, left tackle Scott Frantz and right tac

Coach Bruce Weber addressed the media via Zoom on April 15th.  A transcript was posted on www.kstatesports.com on April 17th.  Let's dig in to what Weber had to say... On the signing of Seryee Lewis… "After we signed that group in the Fall, we felt as a staff we needed to add an athletic forward – big man – who could rebound, run the court and do those type of things and I think he really fits that mold. You have to give DaJuan (Gordon) some credit -- Seryee is a friend of his --  and I don't know how many times that he text me or the staff encouraging us to reach out to him, to watch him. We finally got out there and started to watch him. He's a great young man with a great family." ...Bruce Weber, April 17, kstatesports.com JM:  According to 247sports, Lewis is the 287th ranked player nationally and is a three star player.  He was recruited by Brown, Columbia and Georgetown.  Must be a smart kid.  Not sure he's a Big 12 caliber player, but we wi

Both Chris Klieman and Bruce Weber addressed the media yesterday and kstatesports.com provided the transcript to both sessions.  I'll start today by breaking down what Chris Klieman had to say. "We're very optimistic we're going to play football this year. We just don't know when, so we just have to make sure that we are ready as a staff to go at any time and make sure our players are ready as well." ...Chris Klieman, April 17, kstatesports.com JM:  Klieman is confirming and reiterating the thoughts expressed by athletic director Gene Taylor last week.  These guys are planning on playing this fall. I've talked to Coach [Joe] Klanderman – we're not changing wholesale on defense. We are tweaking some things that Joe just feels more comfortable with, but the kids wouldn't know it. The general fan wouldn't know it. We'll still look the same, but we have talked to those guys, whether it's a new safety where Denzel [Goolsby] was

Will there be a college football season this fall?  Or any sports for that matter?  Reading the comments of some of the key people in college football only makes me as confused as ever.  The bottom line is that I don't think anyone knows.  Here's what people are saying as of April 11th, with the season set to start four months from now. “I’ll be shocked if we have NFL football this fall, if we have college football. I’ll be so surprised if that happens,” Herbstreit said during the interview. “Just because from what I understand, people that I listen to, you’re 12 to 18 months from a (coronavirus) vaccine. I don’t know how you let these guys go into locker rooms and let stadiums be filled up and how you can play ball. I just don’t know how you can do it with the optics of it.” ...Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN Radio, March 27th JM:  Herbstreit was the first person that I heard speaking with the confidence that there will likely not be a college football season this fall.  On

Photo: NE Oklahoma A&M Lots of movement around the K-State men's basketball roster in the last 24 hours.  Let's dig right in... "Kansas State men's basketball added the latest piece to its new-look roster Sunday, picking up a commitment from junior college point guard Rueadale Williams (6'2''-G). A 6-foot-3, 180-pound guard, Williams announced his commitment on Twitter. 'I'd like to start by thanking God, for the ability and strength to pursue the game that I truly love,' Williams said during a video he posted in a tweet. 'Playing basketball at the highest level has always been a dream of mine, and now with hard work and perseverance, I have the opportunity to achieve that goal. 'I'd like to thank all of the people who have been a part of my journey along the way, all my friends, family and coaches. None of this is possible without you guys. I'd like to give a special shout out to my mom. She's the re

"Sources: Kansas State's Bruce Weber is expected to hire former Wildcats' star Shane Southwell as an assistant coach. Southwell was previously at Robert Morris."   Jon Rothstein, CBS Sports, Twitter, March 28, 2020. JM:  Rothstein's report was correct.  Southwell replaces Brad Korn, who left to become the head coach at Southeast Missouri State.  I found it interesting that the "national" reporter got the scoop before any of the local guys did.  This happens all the time with the professional sports teams in town as well. “'We are excited to welcome Shane back to K-State,' K-State head coach Bruce Weber said in a release. 'It’s always a proud moment for a coach when one of your former players not only goes into the coaching profession, but also puts the hard work and commitment necessary to being good at it. As a player, you knew Shane had the drive and personality to be an excellent coach. He just has a great feel and IQ

Let's look at some recent happenings in K-State Sports. "This Coronavirus situation has given me some time to meditate on my situation and I have decided to retire as head coach of Kansas State." ...Bruce Weber, K-State head basketball coach JM:  This is big news coming from the basketball program.  Let the coaching search begin! "We are conducting a nationwide search to find our next basketball coach.  We will leave no stone unturned." ...Gene Taylor, K-State Athletic Director JM:  Big words there by Gene Taylor.  This is a job=defining hire for him. "Rumors are Kansas State has made a contract offer to John Calipari in excess of 22 million dollars a year.  He is set to accept the offer to become the next coach at K-State." ...Andy Katz, ESPN JM:  Final Four, here we come! "Chris Klieman has put together a recruiting class that Nick Saban would drool over.  The 2021 class includes the number one quarterback, the number one running