How Much Has Kansas State TE Garrett Oakley Distanced Himself From Rest Of Group?

Quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Joe Jackson are perhaps the only two offensive Kansas State Wildcats players who have distanced themselves from the rest of the competition at their position. 

It means a lot because coach Collin Klein has said he is holding open competitions at most of the positions during preseason camp. About the only other player close to holding status such as Johnson and Jackson is tight end Garrett Oakley. 

It just appears he has created more separation from others at his position. 

"Oakley has been one that I have just kind of marveled at because I didn't get to see a lot of him in the spring," Wildcats offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson. "He's always very conscientious about his work and the things that he's doing, how he eats."

Last year Oakley led all K-State tight ends with 38 catches for 389 yards and six touchdowns, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. Klein has already said most of the NFL scouts hanging around Manhattan this month have inquired about Oakley. 

Many viewed Linkon Cure as the Wildcats' tight end of the future when he arrived as a five-star recruit last summer but, for now, Oakley is the present. 

WILDCATS IN THE MIX FOR SON OF NBA LEGEND

Wildcats coach Casey Alexander is 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. 

The 6-foot-5 Malik Olajuwon plays shooting guard. He began his prep career at Sugar Land (Texas) High School before transferring to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

It's never too early to start looking at potential bowl opponents 

Two Wildcats offensive lineman go down with season-ending injuries

K-State basketball in the running for son of NBA Hall of Famer 

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