Rebounding has been a concern for Kansas State, as evidenced by ranking 14th overall in the conference.

So it’s no surprise Wildcats coach Jerome Tang brought it back up before the team hosts Drake (9-0) Tuesday night. Tang used a boxing analogy to illustrate the rebounding issues, saying it’s not enough to play defense if they can’t come away with the possession.

“It’s not over when we contest the shot, we gotta go get the rebound,” Tang said. “Otherwise, we’re gonna get knocked out. We’ve been throwing the punch contesting the shot, but we haven’t been finishing the play.”

St. John’s outrebounded the Wildcats 51 to 40, including nine offensive boards alone by forward Zuby Ejiofor. These created second-chance opportunities for the Red Storm, which Kansas State couldn’t reciprocate in the second half.

It’s essential for the Wildcats to improve against the Bulldogs on Tuesday night.

ACHOR ACHOR’S DEPARTURE CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER K-STATE PLAYERS

Kansas State took a loss with the sudden departure of forward Achor Achor, who was anticipated to be a major transfer acquisition.

Luckily, coach Jerome Tang says the team prepared for these situations. He is encouraged by the new opportunities presented to players like Taj Manning and Mobi Ikegwuruka, who will step up amidst Achor’s exit.

“It opens up the opportunity for a lot of guys,” Tang said. “It also gets people’s attention. Love Achor and wish him the best, but one of the things I said is that one of the goals this summer was to have an abundance. So that if you lost a player or two, you still had enough to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish.”

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.

Kansas senior cornerback Mello Dotson capped off an incredible season by earning his second All-America honor on Monday.

The Associated Press named Dotson to its Third Team All-America list, adding to his earlier selection as a Walter Camp Second Team All-American on Dec. 12.

Dotson’s recognition is a big moment for Kansas football.

He’s the first Jayhawk to earn All-America honors since linebacker Joe Dineen Jr. in 2018. Even more impressive, Dotson joins an exclusive group as only the 13th Kansas player to be named an All-American multiple times.

His selection marks the 25th All-America honor in program history.

This season, Dotson proved to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country.

He led the Big 12 Conference with five interceptions, a number that tied for third nationally among cornerbacks. Two of those interceptions were returned for touchdowns, which tied him for the most in the country.

He also tallied 49 tackles and 12 pass deflections, consistently making life difficult for opposing offenses.

Dotson’s career numbers are even more impressive.

Over his time at Kansas, he racked up 12 interceptions, 177 tackles, and 37 passes defended. He also set a school record with four interceptions returned for touchdowns—truly a game-changer every time he was on the field.

His senior year was full of highlights.

Dotson earned First Team All-Big 12 honors and was an Honorable Mention for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. One standout moment came against No. 17 Iowa State, where he returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.

That game earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week honors.

Dotson wasn’t the only star cornerback for Kansas this season.

His teammate, Cobee Bryant, was named a Second Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association on Dec. 13.

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Before his unfortunate demise, Wilkerson was employed as an assistant coach at Carl Albert High School. According to The Oklahoman, the Titans were scheduled to have their final practice before the Saturday game. A few hours before the planned schedule, the former OU standout was at home when a call went out to paramedics for an emergency. Wilkerson, however, was reportedly no longer with us before the officials arrived. A heart attack is believed to be the cause of his untimely death.

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More about the NFL star’s pro career. His son is also a football player

Throughout his NFL career, the Oklahoma athlete played with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2003-07. Eventually, he switched over to Tampa Bay for two seasons before joining the New Orleans Saints roster in 2010. His NFL path culminated with Seattle in 2011.

The late assistant coach’s son, senior tight-end Maddox Wilkerson, followed in his father’s footsteps, playing alongside his teammates for Carl Albert. With barely a day elapsed between his dad breathing his last breath and his school’s showdown against Guthrie, the #45 athlete (the same number his dad wore while playing at the collegiate level) still stepped up to the occasion and participated in the crucial match, which ultimately paved the way for a historic victory.

Jimmy Wilkerson’s memory honoured by historic Carl Albert victory

Despite reeling from the older Wilkerson’s death, the Carl Albert team defeated Guthrie 30-6 at the Class 5A state championship football game at the Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Saturday, December 14. It marked the school’s third consecutive Class 5A title and the program’s 19th overall. Nevertheless, the post-game visuals stung with the abject pain of loss.

With tears in his eyes, Carl Albert coach Mike Dunn praised the student-athletes for rising above the prevailing hardship, saying, “Proud of all of our guys. Different circumstances today. … I don’t know that we’ve ever dealt with adversity like that.”

Maddox’s mother, Jamie, reportedly offered him the option to sit out the game. Yet he did more than show up for the team. “We were trying really hard to get him in” the end zone, Dunn said of the young player. “But he’s made plays all year long, and so I know his dad would be proud of him.”

He added, “You talk about hard. That kid dealt with a lot. … He’s a great kid, great family and he’s gonna have a bunch of coaches, we’ll never be his dad, but we’ll always be there for him.”

“Everybody earned this…but this one’s going home tonight with Maddox Wilkerson.”

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Maddox Wilkerson’s teammates stand by him

Carl Albert Captain Caden Davis said of the late NFL player, “You can’t replace a guy like Coach Wilkerson. He’s so selfless and gives everything he has to everybody.”

Alluding to the example set by Maddox, he added, “That guy is so tough. Maddox is such a strong guy.”

Similarly, linebacker and OU signee Marcus James noted, “He came out and handled business like he was supposed to. … It was great for him to come out and be able to take the field and be able to play after a time like that.”

On Friday, the deceased NFL talent’s son paid a tribute to his father on Instagram. “You were the best dad and also my best friend,” he wrote on social media. “I love you so much, Dad. Life won’t ever be the same without you here by my side.”

According to social media receipts, Jimmy Wilkerson is survived by his wife, Jamie, and four kids, Tyson, Maddox, Jax, and Emilia.