Kansas State Football: Depth Chart Review vs Washington State – Offense

Quarterback

*Starters in Bold

1. Avery Johnson: Snaps – 69 – Comp – 22/34 (64.7%) – Yds – 192 – Td – 3 – Int – 2 – Rushes – 8 – Yds – 78
2. Jacob Knuth: Snaps – 6 – No Stats

Grade: C

One of my criticisms of Avery over the years is that his brain occasionally short circuits on what look like Mundane plays. He knows where the ball is supposed to go, and he throws it without fully processing what’s going on with the defense. He did that twice in the first half on Saturday, and it allowed Washington State to hang around for a half.

If you clip out the two inexplicable interceptions, Avery put in a great performance. I want to give him credit for shaking off

the halftime pick-6 and helping the Wildcats dominate the second half. As always, Avery has all the physical tools a quarterback needs to excel at this level, and when he puts them on display, he looks like one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

What really stood out to me was his running. Last season, it always felt like he was running to get out of bounds, like he was the fastest pocket passer in college football. He ran with his eyes firmly on the end zone against Washington State and was looking to make defenders miss instead of sliding short of the first down. It’s easier to overlook the occasional brain glitch in the passing game.

Jacob Knuth picked up 6 snaps in garbage time and remains the only option at backup quarterback, with Duff still fighting off a camp injury and Barnett working through the hamstring he tweaked in the opener.

Kansas State will need more from its star quarterback if it has designs on winning the Big 12.

Running Back

1. Rodney Fields: Snaps – 42 – Rushes – 13 – Yds – 105 (8.1 YPC) – Td – 1 – Rec – 1 – Yds – 3
2. Joe Jackson: Snaps – 33 – Rushes – 10 – Yds – 68 (6.8 YPC) – Rec – 4 – Yds – 48 – Td -1
3. Jay Harris: Snaps – 6 – Rushes – 6 – Yds – 5.5 (3 YPC)

Grade: A+

Rodney Fields Jr. put up over 100 yards in fewer than 15 carries. Joe Jackson put up 100 all-purpose yards in fewer than 15 touches. Fields broke off a 75-yard run, and Jackson ground out 50 yards after first contact and caught 4-of-the 5 passes sent his direction (granted, the 1 incompletion was a drop). Throw in Avery’s running ability, and Kansas State suddenly finds itself with one of the most explosive backfields in the nation. To round things out, Jay Harris provides a true hammer off the bench. He brings a different level of violence to the position than the speedier Jackson and Fields provide.

Wide Receiver

1. Josh Manning: Snaps – 67 – Targets – 12 – Rec – 10 – Yds – 97 – Td-1
2. Jaron Tibbs: Snaps – 69 – Targets – 5 – Rec – 2 – Yds – 9
3. Brandon White: Snaps – 36 – Targets – 8 – Rec – 4 – Yds – 29
4. Derrick Salley Jr.: Snaps – 6 – Targets – 0
5. Adonis Moise: Snaps – 6 – Targets – 0
6. Izaiah Williams: Snaps – 4 – Targets – 0
7. Sterling Lockett: Snaps – 3 – Targets – 0

Grade: B

This was the Josh Manning game. The Missouri transfer caught Avery Johnson’s eye early and often. I thought Manning was going to be more of a downfield option, but he did the majority of his work within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage in this one. While the majority of his work was in the short zone, he did split the numbers with a game-high 36-yard reception. Manning gives Avery a big, physical target capable of breaking tackles in the short game and out-jumping safeties for deep balls.

Jaron Tibbs only had two receptions, but he still made his mark on the game with his blocking. Like Manning, Tibbs is a physical receiver who doesn’t shy away from contact. He was locking up corners and hunting down safeties on Saturday. His blocking helped turn a few short gains into first downs. It’s always nice when you have a receiver who can impact the game even if he’s not getting targets.

Brandon White and Izaiah Williams were considered 1 and 1a in the slot coming into the season, but it appears White has claimed the lion’s share of the snaps. Instead of sharing snaps with Williams, White is sharing snaps with tight ends. Tibbs and Manning provide the muscle, and White provides the quicks for this receiving group. It wasn’t necessarily on White, but he was the target on both of Avery’s interceptions. Hopefully they get a little better feel for each other as the season moves along.

The bench was non-existent in this one. It looks like Coach Klein is going to roll with his experienced starters at wide receiver, injuries permitting.

Tight End

1. Garrett Oakley: Snaps – 40 – Targets – 1 – Rec – 0
2. Linkon Cure: Snaps – 30 – Targets – 1 – Rec – 0
3. Will Anciaux: Snaps – 33 – Targets – 1 – Rec – 1 – Yds – 6

Grade: C

When Josh Manning and Brandon White account for 20 combined targets, they have to come from somewhere. Against Washington State, the wide receivers got targets that are normally earmarked for the tight ends. In fact, the only position group that hasn’t found its way in the first two games is the tight ends. Oakley is still the top tight end and is the most balanced player in terms of receiving and blocking in the group. This feels more like a one-off for the future NFL draft pick.

Meanwhile, Linkon Cure continues to search for a role. He’s an elite athlete, but I’m starting to get a little concerned about his overall football acumen. He’s fast, but I don’t see him using that speed to create separation. He’s been OK as a blocker, but Will Anciaux is better. If Cure can’t find a way to attract Avery Johnson’s attention in the passing game, it’s possible the more blocking-centric Anciaux could start eating into his snaps. We’re only two games into the season, but a closer look at Cure may be warranted if he doesn’t start producing as a receiver in the near future.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle

1. Ryan Howard: Snaps – 69
2. Tyler Johnson: Snaps – 6

Left Guard

1. Charlie Adams: Snaps – 44
2. Tanner Morely: Snaps – 25
3. Navarro Schunke: Snaps – 6

Center

1. Dylan Villarouel: Snaps – 69
2. Michael Capria: Snaps – 6

Right Guard

1. Keiton Jones: Snaps – 44
2. Chase Duarte: Snaps – 31

Right Tackle

1. Gus Hawkins: Snaps – 69
2. Delvin Morris: Snaps – 6

Grade: A

You would never know the coaching staff had to patch this offensive line together with spare parts because they dominated the game on Saturday. Kansas State averaged 7.4 yards per carry, with Fields and Jackson both breaking off long runs by simply following the play and running towards the daylight created by the offensive line.

When Avery dropped back to pass, he did so in comfort. Washington State was shut out in the sack department and was only credited with a single hit on the Wildcats’ veteran signal caller. Ryan Howard once again showed that the left tackle job isn’t too big for him, and Gus Hawkins went the distance at right tackle outside of 6 garbage-time snaps.

It appears that the plan is to ride the tackles and center for the entire game while splitting snaps at the guard spots. Given all the pulling Coach Klein requires from his guards, it makes sense. Tanner Morely is still getting worked back into the rotation at left guard, and Chase Duarte has established himself at right guard. Offensive line coach Mike Schmidt still has 7 trustworthy options on the offensive line despite losing one sure starter and two reserves to injury. One of those three, freshman Oliver Miller, sounds like he’s going to start ramping up his activity in hopes of returning sooner rather than later. I’m not sure if he’s going to work in at left tackle or guard; Howard and Adams have stepped up in his absence, and neither will be easy to put back on the bench.

You can never have too many options on the offensive line. Hopefully Kansas State got all of their injuries out of the way in fall camp, and this 7 (soon to be 8) man rotation can really dig in and gel as a unit. The only way to get a veteran, experienced line is to play young guys and let them grow together. There’s going to be the occasional hiccup this year, but things are setting up nicely moving forward if this group can stay together.