MANHATTAN, Kan.—Figuring out who’s best among the Big 12’s talented quarterbacks isn’t an easy task.
You could go with Texas Tech’s Graham Harrell, one of six quarterbacks in NCAA history to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. There’s Heisman finalist Chase Daniel of Missouri and Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford, who set an NCAA freshman record with 36 touchdowns.
Colt McCoy of Texas, Kansas’ Todd Reesing and Oklahoma State’s Zac Robinson probably deserve mention, too.
But pose the question to Kansas State’s Josh Freeman and there’s no hesitation, not even a blink.
“I’d say I’m the best,” Freeman said. “These other guys are good quarterbacks, but I have supreme confidence in my abilities as a leader and playmaker.”
Freeman’s boasting might seem a little pretentious in places like Austin or Norman, certainly in Lawrence.
In Manhattan, Freeman’s proclamation is a welcome sign of confidence, that this lead-by-example junior is ready to take over and make Kansas State his team.
The talent’s always been there.
Freeman started the final eight games of 2006 as a freshman, then threw for a school-record 3,353 yards last year. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds and with a strong arm, he’s also likely to get plenty of interest from NFL teams when he comes out.
Now, in his third year, Freeman needs to take the next step and become a leader. Kansas State coach Ron Prince thinks he’s ready.
“It’s his time,” Prince said. “It’s his team.”
Whatever Freeman does, however he handles the pressure, he’ll have to do it without his best receiver from a year ago. Jordy Nelson, an All-American who set a team record with 122 receptions, was drafted by the Green Bay Packers.
That leaves Deon Murphy and Jeron Mastrud, who combined for 87 catches and 921 yards opposite Nelson, and four talented but unproven junior college transfers: Adrian Hilburn, Aubrey Quarles, Attrail Snipes and Brandon Banks.
“People say our offense was Jordy and we take that as a slap in the face,” Freeman said. “He was a big contributor to our offense, but we had a lot of guys who showed week in and week out that they could get the job done. I’m just looking forward to seeing who steps up.”
Defense is a much bigger question.
After winning three of its first four games, including a road win against Texas, Kansas State closed out the 2007 season with four straight losses to finish 5-7. Much of the blame went to the defense.
The Wildcats gave up a whopping 702 total yards—519 passing—in a 73-31 loss to Nebraska, 427 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-32 loss to Missouri, then ended the season by giving up 549 yards in a 45-29 loss to Fresno State.
“We’re really embarrassed by the end of last season,” Wildcats safety Chris Carney said.
It should get better this year.
Kansas State tried to run a 3-4 defense last year and let linebacker Ian Campbell roam. It didn’t work, so the Wildcats are switching to a 4-3 and sending Campbell, a two-time Big 12 first teamer, back to his natural position of defensive end.
But if there’s going to be a big change in the defense’s fortunes, it will likely come from the team’s junior college transfers.
Prince signed 19 and though not all will be eligible to play this season, some will immediately move into the starting lineup. Former minor league baseball player Blair Irvin could start at right cornerback, while Hansen Sekona and Ulla Pomele could start at linebacker.
Will the newcomers make a difference? Campbell sure hopes so.
“Last year, our offense put points on the board. Our defense wasn’t able to deliver. I get sick of saying it,” Campbell said. “I get sick to my stomach of how we played last year in the latter half. I don’t feel that will be the case this year.”
