Kansas State Football: Players to watch during the 2020 season
By John McCarty
As the 2020 season approaches, what names should Kansas State football fans know before the first game?
Every season for every squad, players emerge from the unknown to become major contributors, from role players to regulars and perhaps even more.
With the Kansas State Wildcats 2020 football season (hopefully) approaching the start date, let’s take a look at a few names as of current are not well known, but by the conclusion of the season we can look back and say were major contributors.
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Khalid Duke, Defensive End
The sophomore defensive lineman moved up the depth chart rapidly last season, going from an unknown to a nice role player on the Wildcat defense. As a true freshman, Khalid Duke saw action in seven games, recording two sacks and three tackles for loss. As a sophomore, defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman is hoping expanded playing time will pay off.
Lining up opposite of star defensive end Wyatt Hubert obviously won’t hurt, as Hubert is a potential NFL draft entrant at the end of this season and is arguably the best player on the defense. Between the attention Hubert will attract to go along with another year in the Kansas State system, the opportunity is there for Duke. Thus far, he’s been the talk of the fall camp.
Briley Moore, Tight End
For years now, the tight end position has been a bit of a black hole on the Kansas State offense, a run from previous coach Bill Snyder and stretching into Chris Klieman’s first season in 2019. Graduate transfer Briley Moore is hoping to make an impact at the position during his lone season in Manhattan.
For a running based offense, having a tight end capable of catching the ball and making plays is vitally important, and the Cats will lean on the graduate transfer to help bridge the gap.
During his career with Northern Iowa, he recorded 1,116 career yards and 5 touchdowns while missing all but one game of the 2019 season. Interesting note, he will be one of two Wildcats this season wearing the number 0.