Kansas
Here are 15 players to watch from Kansas, K-State and Mizzou this football season
Look around the local colleges — at Kansas, K-State and Missouri — and you’ll find no shortage of standouts who could earn all-conference or even All-America acclaim.
And possibly a spot in the upcoming NFL Draft.
It could be a historic year for the three power-conference teams, with the Jayhawks and Wildcats likely to battle near the top of the Big 12, and Missouri set to compete in an even-more-loaded SEC with the addition of Oklahoma and Texas.
To help get you ready for the 2024-25 season, here are 15 players to watch, five from each local school…
Kansas State Wildcats (Last Season: 9-4)
By Kellis Robinett
1. Avery Johnson, sophomore quarterback
It’s hard to imagine a sophomore quarterback entering his first season as a full-time starter with higher expectations than Avery Johnson. K-State fans think so much of him that they weren’t upset in the slightest when Will Howard decided to hit the transfer portal and leave for Ohio State.
Johnson is a dual-threat playmaker from Maize who led the Wildcats to a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl last season. Some are predicting him to win the Heisman Trophy. Can he live up that kind of hype? One thing is certain: He should be fun to watch.
2. DJ Giddens, junior running back
The Junction City product led K-State’s backfield with 1,549 total yards and 13 touchdowns last season. What will he do for an encore? Well, he says he wants to prove that he is a complete running back who can gain yards between the tackles and make defenders miss on the perimeter. He should be one of the best running backs in the Big 12.
3. Dylan Edwards, sophomore running back
Giddens isn’t the only talented running back on the K-State roster. Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards has returned to his home state to play for the Wildcats. His breakaway speed and shiftiness could make him a touchdown threat any time he touches the ball. It will be interesting to see how coaches work to get him the ball.
4. Austin Moore, senior linebacker
K-State coaches long ago gave Austin Moore a nickname. They like to call him “The Machine” because he is a fundamentally sound linebacker who never takes a play off.
His tenacity has led to 172 tackles during his college football career. Expect him to add another 75 or so this season. He is the quarterback of this defense.
5. Keenan Garber, senior cornerback
The Wildcats wisely moved Keenan Garber from wide receiver to cornerback in 2022. Turns out, he was always supposed to play on defense. Giddens made 22 tackles and grabbed one interception as a stater last season. He should only get better now that he has more experience on that side of the ball.
Kansas Jayhawks (Last Season: 9-4)
By Shreyas Laddha
1. Jalon Daniels, senior quarterback
There’s no denying Jalon Daniels’ talent, but the biggest question is whether he can stay healthy. Although he only played three games in the 2023 season, Daniels had a memorable 2022 season. He threw for 2,014 passing yards with 18 passing touchdowns and four interceptions while running for 425 yards and seven more touchdowns.
Under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, Daniels could take another leap. If he stays healthy, it could be the makings of a special season.
2. Devin Neal, senior running back
After many thought he would leave for the NFL, Neal returned for his senior season. As long as he stays healthy, Neal is on pace to break multiple Kansas records and leave a Jayhawk legend.
Last season, he ran for 1,280 yards on 203 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per carry with 17 touchdowns, which earned him All-Big 12 second-team honors.
3. Mello Dotson, senior cornerback
In the dynamic corner duo of Cobee Bryant and Mello Dotson, Dotson goes a little under the radar. Even though he’s a bit underrated, he has plenty of skill. Last season, he had 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups and four interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Dotson told The Star his focus is on improving his coverage even further as he chases his NFL aspirations. Let’s see if he can take another step forward this year.
4. JB Brown, senior linebacker
After the departure of Rich Miller, there are big shoes to fill in KU’s linebacker room. Luckily for the Jayhawks, senior JB Brown is the perfect player for the job. Brown played in all 13 games in 2023, finishing with 57 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Coach Lance Leipold even raved about his fall camp performance.
“The guy that’s really stood out and playing some good football is JB Brown,” Leipold said. “He’s playing fast and confident. You can tell he’s really comfortable with what he’s supposed to be doing with our defense and he keeps showing up.”
5. DJ Warner, freshman defensive end
The hype around DJ Warner continues to build. Recently, Leipold said Warner and Dakyus Brinkley could see snaps this season despite being freshmen. Multiple Jayhawks raved about Warner’s play to The Star at KU’s media day. He could also help alleviate some of KU’s pass rushing concerns.
Mizzou Tigers (Last season: 11-2)
By Maddie Hartley
1. Luther Burden III, junior wide receiver
It’ll be roughly this time next year that we’ll be hearing Burden’s name talked about on Sundays, but until then, we’ll look forward to seeing how he capitalizes off a star-studded sophomore campaign.
Burden is already landing across various 2025 mock drafts as a first rounder. He recorded 1,212 yards across 86 receptions and nine touchdowns for the Tigers last season, and will be QB Brady Cook’s No. 1 target once again.
2. Brady Cook, senior quarterback
On the topic of Burden, someone will have to be there to throw it to him.
And it’s going to be Brady Cook.
As Cook prepares for his senior season, he’s under the highest expectations he’s seen in the black and gold. After leading a Mizzou squad that was projected near the bottom of the SEC to an 11-2 record and Cotton Bowl win with his 3,317 passing yards and 21 TDs, the St. Louis native will be in charge of getting the Tigers to a potential College Football Playoff Spot.
3. Marcus Carroll, senior running back
The Tigers had large shoes to fill with Cody Schrader’s departure, and head coach Eli Drinkwitz hit the portal to find an answer in Georgia State transfer Marcus Carroll. Carroll ran for 1,350 yards across 274 carries for the Panthers last season, both marks ranking second in the Sun Belt.
4. Brett Norfleet, sophomore tight end
Norfleet, a member of last year’s SEC All-Freshman team, started the last seven contests for the Tigers and enters his sophomore season as the starter for the Tigers.
Schrader even said at the NFL Combine in March he expects Norfleet to be the best tight end in college football, expecting another great season out of the true sophomore.
“He’s one of the most physical, gifted tight ends I’ve seen,” Schrader said.
Norfleet recorded 197 yards on 18 receptions last year, including three TDs.
5. Blake Craig, redshirt-freshman kicker
Harrison Mevis is the program’s all-time scoring leader, finishing his college career with 415 points. He’s also Mizzou’s all-time leader in field goals by a mile with 86 (second on the list is Andrew Baggett with 66).
That’s a lot for Craig to live up to, but this KC native (Liberty North) was a top-10 kicking recruit in the country and currently holds the MSHSAA records for field goals in a season (17), career (45) and career points by a kicker (335). It’ll be interesting to see how he makes his own name in the absence of Mevis.
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Kansas
Why Kansas City Royals’ 11-2 loss to the Phillies packed an extra playoff punch
It was a tough night at the office for the Kansas City Royals.
The Royals got a look at premier MLB ace Ranger Suarez on Saturday night at Kauffman Stadium. Suarez, who returned from the 15-day injured list after lower back tightness, didn’t miss a beat in guiding the Philadelphia Phillies to an 11-2 victory.
It was a night made worse by other results around the AL Central, with a month and change to go in the regular season.
First, for Saturday’s game, Suarez allowed one run in five innings. He picked up his 11th victory by limiting the Royals to four hits and striking out six batters.
“He was tough,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “You know, he was locating like crazy. … Any time we were looking for a fastball, he threw a change, and vise-versa. You’ve got to tip your cap to how he pitched.”
The Phillies did their damage against Royals starter Brady Singer.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto belted a three-run homer in the sixth inning as Philadelphia took a four-run lead. It was his ninth home run.
Singer dealt with a lot of traffic on the basepaths. He allowed five runs and 11 hits in five innings. Phillies trio Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Austin Hays recorded RBIs in the victory.
“I had to compete,” Singer said. “I had some traffic throughout the whole game, but I felt like I made some good pitches when I needed to. And, obviously, they capitalized on a few of those pitches.”
Singer suffered his ninth loss. The Phillies collected 18 hits to even the three-game series.
In the eighth inning, Realmuto capped the victory with a second three-run homer. This time, he clobbered an 85.4 mph changeup off Royals reliever Chris Stratton.
Realmuto finished with a career-high seven RBIs.
“They beat us up pretty good,” Quatraro said. “But we did not do the things we can control as well as we can do them. Some of it is on us and some of it you’ve got to credit them.”
Royals designated hitter Freddy Fermin accounted for the lone offense. He hit an RBI single in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
KC dropped to 72-57.
Missed previous Royals coverage?
Game 1: Royals begin difficult 20-game stretch with home win
Personal Best: Salvador Perez, Hunter Renfroe reach career milestones against Phillies
Here are more notables from Saturday’s game:
Royals run themselves out of scoring chance
The Royals let a few opportunities slip against the Phillies.
In the third inning, outfielder Dairon Blanco got aboard with a leadoff walk and represented the second baserunner of the game. Kyle Isbel moved Blanco into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.
However, Blanco wouldn’t advance further. As the lineup flipped over, third baseman Maikel Garcia hit a ground ball weakly back to Suarez. Blanco failed to advance on contact and remained at second.
The Royals now faced a two-out situation. Blanco still represented the tying run as KC star Bobby Witt Jr. stepped to the plate.
Witt wouldn’t get a chance to drive the runner in. Instead, Blanco attempted to steal third base and was thrown out to end the inning.
“That’s completely on me,” Quatraro said. “I need to put the red light on there and I didn’t. We need to let Bobby hit there, but that’s my responsibility.”
KC defense faltered too …
Later, the Royals struggled in the field.
There was a misplay in the sixth inning where second baseman Michael Massey and right fielder Hunter Renfroe allowed a ball to drop between them.
“(Renfroe) and I were going at it and no one called it,” Massey said. “And then I called it late. Felt like I heard something out there and he didn’t end up calling it, actually. So that’s my fault. Got to do a better job listening for him.”
Later, Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott lined a single that took a funny hop in front of Massey. Both plays led to Realmuto’s home run.
“That’s what good teams do right,” Massey said. “They take advantage of your mistakes and, you know, make you pay for it.”
Postseason update
The Royals lost ground in the American League Central on Saturday night.
Both the Cleveland Guardians (74-55) and Minnesota Twins (72-57) won their respective games. As a result, the Royals fell two games behind the Guardians for first place in the American League Central.
On Monday, the Royals and Guardians will begin a critical four-game series at Progressive Field. The Twins are now tied with the Royals in the divisional standings. Minnesota defeated the St. Louis Cardinals at home.
In the AL Wild Card picture, the Royals slid to the final playoff spot. They are 3.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox (67-61) after both teams lost on Saturday.
What’s next on the KC Royals schedule?
The Royals finish their six-game homestand against the Phillies. KC ace Seth Lugo will start on Sunday afternoon.
Lugo is tied for the MLB lead with 14 wins this season. He owns a 3.04 ERA in 13 home starts at Kauffman Stadium.
The Phillies are expected to start left-hander Kolby Allard, who has a 3.46 ERA in three appearances (two starts) this year.
Kansas
Civil Rights activists honored as 100 names placed on Kansas City monument
![Civil Rights activists honored as 100 names placed on Kansas City monument Civil Rights activists honored as 100 names placed on Kansas City monument](https://gray-kctv-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HAOASK6JIJEFHEXZVKOHFF4R3Q.jpg?auth=49effd03d13b1448c615241ebb7d9d510dbb3a2ea227982f78e51f3d5cc08c15&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Community members came together to honor Civil Rights activists in the past and present of Jackson County, Missouri, as 100 names were added to a historic monument.
Jackson County, Missouri, Legislator Venessa Huskey has announced that the names of those who have made significant contributions to Civil Rights in the area were added to the Monument to Freedom, Justice & Courage during the Honoree Celebration & Recognition Ceremony.
Huskey noted that the event took place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Leon Jordan Memorial Park, 31st and Benton Blvd.
The Legislator indicated that the monument has space for 500 memorial plaques – a total of 1,000 honorees. Up to 100 individuals are chosen to be added to the monument each year. It was erected in 2014. This year was also the third installment of names.
Community leaders said the Leon Jordan Memorial Statue is believed to be the first public monument built in honor of an African-American leader in the Show-Me State. It is also the first public monument to be designed and built by an African American artist in Missouri.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas’ Flory Bidunga
![NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas’ Flory Bidunga NBA Draft Scouting Report: Kansas’ Flory Bidunga](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1804,h_1014,x_191,y_228/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/nba_draft/01j52d5rdegw3ea4vw7h.jpg)
Flory Bidunga
Center | Kansas
Height: 6’10” | Weight: 220 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 20.09
Although he’s an undersized big from a height standpoint, Bidunga makes up for it with great length and elite athleticism. He’s naturally gifted from a physical standpoint and is well-developed for his age. He’s one of the most athletic frontcourt players in the country and has an NBA-ready frame that still has more room to add strength and bulk.
What makes Bidunga special is how well he moves at his size. Not only can he bully players with his strength, but he’s also incredibly fluid and mobile. The Kansas freshman is an elite rim runner who gets out in transition and makes things happen. His top speed is unmatched for a player of his size.
In both transition and halfcourt settings, Bidunga is an incredible lob threat. He spaces the floor vertically with his effortless bounce and dominant explosiveness. He moves with assertiveness and great mobility when diving to the rim. While Bidunga isn’t super effective yet at putting the ball on the deck and getting to the rim on his own, he’s fantastic at establishing position and getting the ball in the post. He boasts good footwork and can overpower defenders. The Kansas prospect is a good scorer once he’s gotten deep in the post and loves the lefty hook — leveraging his dominant hand.
Bidunga is not a floor spacer as of today and his free throw shooting hasn’t been great to this point. But he still brings a ton to the table even with a more traditional big skillset. He can step out and knock down shorter midrange shots, but his game is generally predicated around the paint. He’s a phenomenal rebounder on both ends of the floor and plays with great energy when crashing the boards.
On the defensive end, Bidunga is a very good shot blocker with his athleticism and natural feel from a timing standpoint. He sometimes gets lost defensively, so he needs to become more disciplined as a team defender. Even then, his physical tools allow him to be disruptive on that end, as long as he doesn’t get in foul trouble.
The former five-star recruit has only been playing basketball in the United States for a few years. He is originally from Congo, Africa and is still rapidly improving. Bidunga plays with energy, effort and hustle while also radiating positive energy. He is a great team player and is just now scratching the surface of his potential.
Late First-Round Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
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