Kansas State Football needs to find an offensive tackle

For Kansas State football, finding offensive tackle depth will be vital in the 2020 recruiting cycle. Thus far, the Cats are lagging in the race.

The Kansas State Wildcats offensive line in 2019 certainly appears to be a strength, led by a likely senior quartet of starters in tackles Scott Frantz and Nick Kaltmayer, guard Tyler Mitchell and center Adam Holtorf. The only underclassman likely to start will be sophomore guard Josh Rivas.

With returning quarterback Skylar Thompson in the fold, this group will need to pave the way for graduate transfer running backs James Gilbert and Jordon Brown and an untested group of wide receivers.

However, graduation is a constant, and the Cats are set to lose both starting tackles after the 2019 season. What makes matters worse, the Cats really have few options beyond the 2019. The 2020 recruiting class will need some offensive tackles. To date, if there is a position the Cats have struggled at, it’s securing offensive line help.

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Coming into the 20 recruiting cycle, there was hope availability was going to meet need. According to Rivals.com, of the top ten prospects in the state of Kansas, four of the top ten recruits in the state play offensive line, led by Turner Corcoran in Lawrence.

Thus far, the Cats have missed on all four.

• Corcoran is committed to Nebraska early in the process. 
• Hayden Pauls of Emporia is committed to Iowa State
• Mason Richman recently committed to Iowa as an offensive lineman
• Alex Conn of Derby does not appear to favor the Cats in the recruiting cycle, reportedly having Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma State as his top three.
• Aireontae Ersery committed to Minnesota prior to visiting Kansas State

Currently committed is local Manhattan product Sam Shields, who may end up at tackle, but also could be a guard. Hadley Panzer of Lakin is another prospect that may end up along the inside of the offensive line. While there is no scholarship offer yet, necessity may require.

What other options are out there for Kansas State?

Jacob Gamble from Iowa Western junior college is another name the Cats have offered and hope to get on campus this summer for a visit. Colorado tackle Carver Willis was in Manhattan on June 15th and received a scholarship offer.

Landing both would go a long way in helping the depth concerns the Wildcats have at offensive tackle.

Thus far, Kansas State under Chris Klieman in his first year at the helm have really jumped out, landing 12 commitments by the start of the summer. Athletic and fast, the Cats have made waves in recruiting during the early part of the recruiting process.

Now, the Cats will need to focus on landing some offensive linemen to help finish off and solidify the strong start to the recruiting class the Cats have started.