Kansas State Wildcats Dealt With Two Serious Injury Blows To Offensive Line

The offensive line was one of the early concerns for the Kansas State Wildcats football team. 

On Thursday, things only got more difficult. First-year coach Collin Klein announced the team will be without linemen George Fitzpatrick and John Pastore. 

For Fitzpatrick, it marks the second straight he has missed. Last year he dealt with a preseason medical emergency before being ruled out. There was hope he would return but Klein explained the specifics. 

"Because of the timing of his not clearing some of these benchmarks for his best interest for his health, the doctors have recommended that he basically not play this season," Klein said. " ... His long-term health and safety have always been at the forefront." 

While Fitzpatrick's absence was more expected, the Pastore injury comes as a complete surprise. Klein said Pastore has already had season-ending leg injury. After earning second-team All-Big 12 honors a year ago, he was a projected first-team player this year. 

"To not be able to play this year is very unfortunate," Klein said. "We're going to be with him through the recovery process." 

K-STATE HOOPS IN CONTENTION FOR FOUR-STAR SHOOTING GUARD 

It hasn't taken long for Wildcats 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. 

If the name sounds familiar, it should. 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 

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