There were no great revelations when Kansas State football opened part of practice to the media, but the Wildcats appear to be relatively healthy.
MANHATTAN — Two days into preseason camp, Kansas State's football team opened the first portion of practice to media members Thursday, July 24, at the Shamrock Practice Facility without revealing much.
The Wildcats went through stretching and position drills in helmets and shorts during the first half hour, but did not offer insight into the depth chart with the Aug. 23 season opener against Big 12 rival Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, less than a month away.
The offense and defense were split up during the drills, with the offense on the indoor field and the defense working outdoors under cloudy skies.
One positive was the fact that most players expected to be key contributors in 2025 were active during the drills. The same could not be said for spring practice in April, when multiple projected starters and top reserves were sidelined while recovering from injuries.
Here are three takeaways from a glimpse behind the scenes that failed to produce any bombshells.
The defense looks to be close to full strength
The Wildcats' defense was especially hard hit during the spring, but if Thursday's practice was any indication, things are looking up.
Four linebackers either sat out during the spring or were extremely limited, but all of them were suited up and participating. That included returning starters Austin Romaine and Desmond Purnell as well as backup Asa Newsom with the main group. Senior Beau Palmer, who like Newsom appeared in just seven games before a season-ending injury, was with another group on the sideline and wearing a left knee brace.
In the secondary, super-senior Arizona transfer Gunner Maldonado also was a full participant with the safeties after sitting out the spring. That is good news for the Wildcats, who must replace four of five starters on the back end, including three safeties.
The four cornerbacks working with the No. 1 group offered a mix of youth and experience. Sophomores Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh were matched with returning super-senior Justice James and senior Oklahoma transfer Jayden Rowe.
The offensive line remains a work in progress
Ohio State transfer George Fitzpatrick, who appeared to have won the starting left tackle job in the spring, was still out after what K-State described in a statement as a "medical situation."
The offensive line did not do any work as a unit during the early part of practice.
If Fitzpatrick is unable to return, that means both tackle spots are up for grabs. One candidate is returning junior John Pastore, who appeared to be healthy after an injury-plagued career to this point.
Senior transfers Terrence Enos from Pittsburgh and JB Nelson from Penn State did not arrive until summer, but either of them could fit in at tackle or line up inside.
Sam Hecht is a returning starter at center and Taylor Poitier at guard. Senior Andrew Leingang is the likely starter at the other guard, though started at right tackle in last season's Rate Bowl. Southern California transfer Amos Talalele also could step in at guard if Leingang moves outside.
Is Blake Barnett ready to make a run at No. 2 quarterback?
Blake Barnett, a redshirt freshman, appeared to be No. 2 in the pecking order at quarterback behind starter Avery Johnson. At the very least, he should challenge junior Jacob Knuth for the backup role.
During a drill with the running backs, Johnson took the first and third repetitions while Barnett was second in line and Knuth fourth. Make of it what you will.
As expected, Dylan Edwards took the first handoff from Johnson and Joe Jackson the other.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football practices are underway: Three early takeaways
Category: General Sports
