Kansas
Kansas State’s Avery Johnson Just Cracks Big 12’s Top-10 Quarterbacks
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Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson is gearing up for his first full season at the helm.
Johnson assumed the starting job after QB Will Howard transferred to Ohio State late in the season. With a limited chance to prove himself, some are doubting his potential heading into their first matchup on Aug. 31.
PFF’s Dalton Wasserman is among those potentially underestimating the Wildcats QB. He released a ranking of the Big 12 quarterbacks, where Johnson placed No. 10 of 16.
The full list is as follows:
1. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) Big 12 Quarterback Rankings🎯
(Via: @PFF_Dalton) pic.twitter.com/mS6mnxGJ1w
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 25, 2024
2. Noah Fifita (Arizona)
3. Garrett Greene (West Virginia)
4. Jalon Daniels (Kansas)
5. KJ Jefferson (UCF)
6. Cam Rising (Utah)
7. Rocco Becht (Iowa State)
8. Donovan Smith (Houston)
9. Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State)
10. Avery Johnson (K-State)
11. Dequan Finn (Baylor)
12. Josh Hoover (TCU)
13. Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati)
14. Behren Morton (Texas Tech)
15. Sam Leavitt (Arizona State)
16. Jake Retzlaff (BYU)
A full campaign under coach Chris Klieman is leading some to pick Johnson as their dark horse Heisman candidate. The rising sophomore passed for 301 yards and three touchdowns in his limited time on the field. He also made good use of his legs, rushing for 225 yards and six touchdowns.
Johnson’s weapon room is filled with talent, including DJ Giddens and Keagan Johnson, meaning there’s no reason he shouldn’t have a breakout season.
MORE K-STATE NEWS
Why Kansas State WR Keagan Johnson Is Primed For Breakout Campaign
National Writer Picks Kansas State To Make College Football Playoff
Anthony Pasciolla is a contributing writer to K-State On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or followed on X @AnthonyPasci.
Facebook: K-State On SI
Twitter: @KStateOnSI
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Kansas
Police seek help to identify man pulled from lake in Kansas
![Police seek help to identify man pulled from lake in Kansas Police seek help to identify man pulled from lake in Kansas](https://gray-kwch-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ADI447W4EVFYPLNKLBLYMI4Y3M.png?auth=c031c106caf28b4a51419614f00684102fc20d314b85e3c8774b0373b5e87a96&width=1200&height=600&smart=true)
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV/Gray News) – Investigators in Kansas are working to identify a deceased man who was pulled from a lake in Wyandotte County Lake.
According to a social media post, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office says that around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, emergency crews were called to the Wyandotte County Lake with reports of a possible drowning.
When first responders arrived, they said they found an individual floating in the lake who had been unresponsive. The Kansas City, Kansas Fire Department helped remove the person from the lake.
Law enforcement officials pronounced the person deceased. Officials say the victim appears to be a Hispanic male in his 60s, however, investigators have not yet identified him.
Anyone with information about the incident should report it to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
Copyright 2024 KCTV via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
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.
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.
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