Kansas State's Linkon Cure Looking To Reach A New Level

The Kansas State Wildcats have patiently waited for sophomore tight end Linkon Cure to develop. 

It appears that time has arrived. 

Amid all the hype, Cure is finally resembling the player that made him one of the top recruits coming out of high school. He is coming off a career game last week against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

Even though the Wildcats lost 66-28, it was sort of a coming out party for Cure. He finished with a career-high five catches for 33 yards. 

During his weekly press conference, first-year Wildcats coach Collin Klein took time out to address Cure's growth as a player. The coaching has noticed Klein has improved each week in the program. 

The goal now is to get him the ball more as he continues the development. After spending last year as a freshman adjusting to the next level, Cure has 18 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown. 

While it is a great improvement from a year ago, it's hardly what was expected based on the unrealistic expectations placed on him upon entering high school. Cure was a three-sport standout at Goodland High School in Kansas. He was the top offensive threat on the football team while also helping lead the basketball team to the state tournament. He then was a state-champion hurdler in track and field. 

The combination of strength and athleticism made him among the nation's top high school tight ends. He drew interest from the likes of the Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions and Texas A & M Aggies. 

Klein eventually decided to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing for the home state Wildcats. In doing so, he became the first five-star recruit to join the Kansas State program. 

At first, the expectations were probably too hard to face. It didn't help that the Wildcats already had tight end standouts Garrett Oakley and Will Anciaux in the group. That left Cure struggling to find playing time in the crowded room. 

An unfortunate season-ending injury to Anciaux has allowed Cure to slide into the rotation. As a result, he's become an impact player. With two years left, there is no telling how high the ceiling is for him. 

One thing is for sure: the Wildcats plan to utilize him as much as possible in the offense in the coming years. The Cure takeover could begin as early as this weekend on the road against TCU Horned Frogs.