Kansas State football's massive overhaul over the past few months has shifted the team look after Chris Klieman's sudden departure.
Collin Klein is taking over the program, but it will still be difficult to haul in a completely new team in his first year coaching. One of the positions under the most scrutiny is the receiving corps. Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson gave a bit of reassurance about the group's work ethic this offseason to build chemistry.
"We spent a lot of time by ourselves throwing routes on air and stuff in the summer," Johnson said in his fall camp press conference. "We were really intentional about getting work this off-season and building that chemistry so that it translated to fall camp. We’re 10 or 11 practices in now, and I think we’re only progressing each day. I’m excited to see what those guys do on Sept. 5; they make my job a lot easier."
It will be a completely new look without star Jayce Brown. The group was largely ineffective outside of him last season, with the exception of Jaron Tibbs. There were a few games where Brown accounted for most of the offense, so it will be even more difficult to produce without him. Tibbs was a solid No. 2, but Brown stretched the field and gave Johnson a downfield target.
The frontrunner out of the new bunch is Joshua Manning, who has been linked to Johnson ever since they came out of high school. Last season, he had 29 receptions for 318 yards and two touchdowns at Missouri, but you'd have to imagine that role expands in an offense looking for guys to step up.
Brandon White is another name gaining steam, possibly rounding out the main receiving threats with tight end Garrett Oakley and former Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams. White had 38 receptions for 399 yards and two touchdowns at Hawai'i last season.
Johnson has some options within the corps, but the main goal will be finding the stars of the bunch. While Klein's game plan likely takes the ball out of Johnson's hands more than before, the veteran signal-caller will still have to get the ball in the air, especially if he's slated for the career year everyone anticipates.
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Jayden Armant is a contributor to KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected].
