Kansas State Football: Spring position groups to watch prior to 2019

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 17: Kansas State Wildcats mascot Willie the Wildcat during a Big 12 football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Kansas State Wildcats on November 17, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 17: Kansas State Wildcats mascot Willie the Wildcat during a Big 12 football game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Kansas State Wildcats on November 17, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The defensive line position group almost in its entirety will graduate after this season. What does depth look like in the trenches?

Graduation and the NFL draft robbed the Wildcats basically of their entire running back corp this offseason. Now, a very similar issues could happen to the defensive line.

Five of K-State’s top seven defensive linemen are set to graduate after the upcoming campaign, including long time starters Reggie Walker and Trey Dishon. Key reserves Kyle Ball and Joe Davies are also set to leave after the upcoming season.

The Kansas State defense will depend on this experienced defensive line to set the tone for a defense looking to replace depth at defensive back and set the tone.  A good season by Walker and Dishon could land them on the radar of the NFL, and Jordan Mittie, Kyle Ball and Joe Davies are able to provide depth and production for a defense that was solid in 2018 and will look to be better in 2019.

During the spring practices, fans should keep an eye on underclassmen Eli Huggins, Drew Wiley and Bronson Massie. They likely will be starters in 2020 after the group of starters departs after this season.

The Cats landed three defensive linemen in their recent recruiting class and will look to add further depth, either from the junior college or prep ranks in their next class.