Buddy Wyatt needs a moment to think.
The Kansas State defensive ends coach was just asked how many players he can realistically envision using in a rotation of edge-rushers this season, and he needs to do some math.
K-State usually leans on three or four defensive ends to get pressure on an opposing quarterback. But the Wildcats are blessed with more depth at that position than normal with senior leaders Brendan Mott and Cody Stufflebean opting to return to Manhattan for another year of college football.
Because of that, Wyatt ponders the possibilities and then says K-State could confidently play as many as seven different defensive ends this season.
Finding a way to do that is currently the biggest challenge for the assistant coach.
“The one thing I know about Chris Klieman is that he recognizes talent,” Wyatt said. “He always says we need to get that talent on the field. He is going to be on us as defensive coaches to find a way to get some of those guys on the field.”
That could be complicated given that K-State predominantly runs a 3-3-5 formation on defense that features just two defensive ends on most plays.
But the Wildcats may not be married to that scheme on every down.
After spending the past five seasons at K-State, Mott insists this is both the deepest and most talented group of defensive ends he has been around. In his mind, it’s time for the Wildcats to find creative ways to use all of them. He is particularly excited about the idea of putting four pass-rushers on the field on certain plays.
“Come pass-rush situations I think that is an option,” Mott said. “That is something we are talking about doing when we get to third-and-long, is taking some guys out and putting our best edge rushers in there to have our best chance at getting a stop on that third down. I think there is a really good chance that we do that, and it’s something to look forward to this season.”
Mott and Stufflebean appear to be the starters at defensive end, based on their usage during training camp. But they have lots of competition for those top spots, as well as able replacements when they exit games.
The Wildcats are also excited about Jordan Allen, Tobi Osunsanmi and Austin Peay transfer Travis Bates.
Other names to watch: Truman Griffith, Kian Payne, Donovan Rieman, Drew Schmelzle and George Traglia.
Last season, K-State piled up 25 sacks with Khalid Duke (six) and Nate Matlack (four) leading the way. Stufflebean had two and Mott had one.
The Wildcats may miss some of that star power at the top of the depth chart, but they hope to make up for it with depth. Call it strength in numbers. They should always have fresh pass-rushers on the field.
“We have always had good depth in our room. This year we have really good depth,” Mott said. “I think that is super important for a team like ours that will be competing for the postseason. We want to have depth, because at some point someone is going to go down and it’s who can step up and make those plays in the postseason and keep leading this team to a Big 12 championship, the playoffs and so on.”
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