Kansas State's offensive line has been one of the most consistent units in the conference, helping support its typically dominant rushing attack.
So it was such a shock when both took a step back last season, especially in a year where they were supposed to surge and transcend offensively across the country. Luckily, coach Collin Klein says the group has been making strides with the new incoming unit.
"It’s been really good. We’ve had 10, 12, 13 different guys get a ton of reps at a lot of different positions," Klein said in his second spring ball interview. "So I’ve seen them individually come a long way in the strides they’ve made, in a lot of different combinations. We really don’t know exactly what that’s gonna look like as far as the first five guys that go out there, but it’s been cool to see the first versatility and position flex that those guys have worked hard to earn the last couple weeks."
Part of Klein's offensive overhaul was bringing in offensive line coach Mike Schmidt to the staff.
"That transition has been very smooth. It's everything I expected," Schmidt said in his opening press conference. "I made the decision professionally based on a couple of things. The rich tradition here at Kansas State was very important to me. The importance of football at this university and in this state. The great player development has been offered here."
Schmidt's track record should excite fans, too. He spent most of his career with San Diego State since 2009, including last season. As the Aztecs' offensive line coach/run game coordinator, Schmidt helped lead a unit that rushed for just under 200 yards/game, the second-best in the Mountain West Conference.
Leading the pack was Lucky Sutton, who rushed 254 times for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading the conference in rushing yards. The hope is that a strong offensive line can do the same with Joe Jackson, with Rodney Fields Jr. and Jay Harris integrated as well.
Schmidt lauded Carolina Panthers center Sam Hecht as an example of the caliber of players Kansas State produces.
"Seeing guys like Sam Hecht, a walk-on player, come into this place. That’s been my M.O. throughout my whole career: developing players and having the resources," Schmidt said. "I’ve never had the resources that Kansas State offers for player development. Being here two months now and really seeing how all that works together, we get instant feedback on player performance, and take that feedback to give to the players and to move them along in their development."
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