Rapid Recap: Kansas State defensive progression

Praise for the Kansas defense

Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein is well aware that the Kansas defense has been very opportunistic this season. The Jayhawks lead the nation in defensive touchdowns this season with four. All four have came at critical points of a game as well and has helped Kansas win close games.

According to Klein, they are doing all the little things well.

Kansas is good at block destruction and tackling in space. They have a lot more confidence because everyone has much more comfort in their scheme and have been in it a long time. It is like how K-State has improved on that side of the ball while transitioning to the 3-3-5 alignment.

In regards to turnovers, Klein mentioned the Jayhawks finding a way to play aggressive but also within themselves to make big plays.

Kansas State tight end breaking out

Kansas State tight end Garrett Oakley is slowly turning the corner. After missing the first few games of the season due to an injury, he has became a threat in the passing game. The redshirt freshman tight end has seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the last four contests.

Klein thinks the Wildcat tight end is progressing even as the season goes along. Oakley is another long, fast and physical target in the passing game for K-State with a bright, bright future. Ben Sinnott has also helped the younger tight end in his growth and development.

Owning their roles

The Wildcats experienced a lot of roster turnover on the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the secondary where they lost three defensive backs that are now on NFL rosters. As the season has moved forward, that Kansas State group has settled in and made drastic improvement.

VJ Payne and Kobe Savage switched safety positions three games into the season and have become more comfortable. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman called them rockstars. Klanderman also took the blame for not giving Savage and Payne more base looks earlier in the season.

Cornerbacks Will Lee and Keenan Garber have also grown up and are playing with confidence. That duo was a bit of a wild card early in the season because they hadn’t played much, but they have adjusted and are used to the speed of the game.

Turnovers

K-State has forced 13 turnovers in the last five games. However, Klanderman made sure to point out that they were emphasizing it just as much when they were seemingly not forcing any. That’s just how the ball bounces sometimes. They can come in bunches.

His theory is that playing more zone coverage has played a part. There are more eyes on the ball with that look as opposed to man-to-man that has backs turned away from the ball. We’ll see if it can continue because it could play a large role in Lawrence.