Has Jacob Knuth Locked Up Backup QB Spot For Kansas State Wildcats?

The Kansas State Wildcats are pretty much set at quarterback with senior Avery Johnson. 

The question is who steps up in case Johnson unfortunately goes down with an injury. That's among the biggest concerns of the preseason. Offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson recently spoke about the backup quarterback competition. Here's what he had to say: 

"We have a healthy competition culture, to be honest," Gleeson said. "I don't there being like a malaise in the reps that are given to the twos or the threes, and it being like, 'Oh whatever, I'll just roll the ball out there.' Coach said to the quarterbacks the other day, 'That job is rented. Every one of them, that job is rented, so you have to do everything every day to maintain your status and seek to improve your career at every step of the way.' So, I think that there's healthy competition and those guys are dialed in all time."

The competition is between Jacob Knuth, Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff. 

Knuth has to have the advantage just based on experience. Although he hasn't received any significant playing time, he is a fifth-year senior. Barnett did play four games last season for the Wildcats but was used mostly in running situations. Duff has lots of potential but did not take any snaps last year as a freshman. 

WILDCATS IN THE MIX FOR TOP HOOPS RECRUIT 

It hasn't taken long for Kansas State coach Casey Alexander making recruiting inroads during his first season. 

It was recently announced the Wildcats were among the six finalists for landing four-star prospect Malik Olajuwon. The list of schools include the Wildcats, Virginia Tech Hokies, TCU Horned Frogs, SMU Mustangs, Texas Tech Red Raiders and Minnesota Gophers. 

Olajuwon is the son NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the Houston Rockets to titles in 1994 and 1995. He won an MVP as a 7-foot center, was a 12-time All-Star and named one of the NBA's greatest 75 players. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

How productive has Elijah Hill been during the preseason? 

K-State WR Jaron Tibbs is taking on a new role this season

So far, Wildcats edge Wendell Gregory Jr., is meeting expectations

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]