Tate Nagy Emerging as a Major Weapon for Kansas
Tate Nagy is quickly becoming one of the more important playmakers for Kansas football.
The sophomore wide receiver has made an impact in multiple areas for the Jayhawks this season, and his performance against Arizona State at Wembley Stadium showed just how valuable he can be moving forward.
Nagy provided Kansas with one of its biggest plays of the game Saturday when he returned an Arizona State punt 72 yards for a touchdown. The play came in the second quarter and gave the Jayhawks their first lead of the afternoon.
The punt return was more than just a big special-teams play. It showed Nagy’s ability to make an impact with the ball in his hands and gave Kansas a spark when the offense was struggling to consistently move the football.
Kansas has needed players who can create explosive plays, especially after losing consecutive games to Missouri and Arizona State. Nagy has shown that he can provide that type of playmaking ability.
His versatility could become even more important as the season continues.
While Nagy has made his biggest impact on special teams, Kansas can also use him as a receiver. Having a player who can contribute in multiple phases gives offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki another option when designing ways to create mismatches.
Nagy’s development also comes at an important time for Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall.
Marshall has shown flashes during his first season as Kansas' starting quarterback, but the Jayhawks need consistent production from their receiving group. Having reliable targets who can make plays after the catch can take some pressure off the quarterback.
Nagy could become part of that equation.
The Jayhawks have already seen what can happen when he gets space. His 72-yard punt return against Arizona State changed the momentum of the game and gave Kansas a chance to respond after falling behind.
Although Kansas ultimately lost 24-17, Nagy's play was one of the bright spots from the trip to London.
The next step for Nagy will be turning those individual moments into more consistent production. Kansas will have a bye week before returning to action, giving the coaching staff additional time to find ways to get him involved.
That could mean more opportunities on offense, more responsibilities in the return game or potentially both.
For a Kansas team looking for more explosive plays, Nagy provides an intriguing option.
The Jayhawks have several players capable of making plays, but Nagy's ability to contribute in multiple phases makes him particularly valuable. If his role continues to grow, he could become one of the players Kansas relies on most when it needs a spark.
The Arizona State game provided another example of what Nagy can bring. Now, Kansas will look to build on that performance and find even more ways to put the ball in his hands.
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Jimmy Adeniran is a contributor to JayhawksROUNDTABLE. He can be reached at [email protected]
