K-State Q&A: How much preseason football hype does Will Howard deserve for Wildcats?

Will Howard is one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12.

The simple fact that I opened this week’s Kansas State mailbag with that sentence is a testament to the resolve that Howard brings to the field at his position. At about this time last year, some (many?) fans had given up on the idea of him ever becoming a full-time starter for the Wildcats.

But here he is entering his fourth season at K-State with a Big 12 championship ring and a surprising amount of hype. Did you know you can bet on him to win the Heisman Trophy? He’s a long shot (100 to 1, per BetMGM) sure, but he’s in the conversation and one of the best candidates in his conference to mount a campaign.

Still, it is not easy to rank him alongside his Big 12 peers. I was asked to pick a spot for him while talking on Topeka radio earlier this week and had to think about it before responding with an answer.

An argument could be made for him to rank No. 1. He was really freaking good late last season after he took over for Adrian Martinez. But I wouldn’t laugh at anyone for ranking him as low as No. 4.

These things are subjective. Without a quarterback like Baker Mayfield or Vince Young dominating the league, these rankings are always up for debate.

After giving it some thought, here’s how I would rank the best quarterbacks in the Big 12:

1. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

He threw for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns during his debut season in Norman and now he is back with more experience. Offense wasn’t the problem for the Sooners last season, as they lost games despite scoring 48 points, 35 points, 34 points and 32 points. Give him any kind of defense against a soft schedule and the Sooners could easily make the Big 12 championship game this season.

2. Will Howard, Kansas State

The Wildcats scored almost at will after Howard took over at quarterback last season and averaged 37.5 points during five games with him as the starter. He threw for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also won a ring. What can he do over the course of a full 12 games? Not sure. But I am more inclined to back him than any other quarterback in the league right now.

3. Jalon Daniels, Kansas

How crazy is it that two of the Big 12’s best quarterbacks reside in the Sunflower State? Here’s the deal with Daniels: If he can recapture the form he showed early on last season when Kansas won its first five games and he looked like Superman, then he is the best QB in the conference. But he won’t be sneaking up on any defensive coordinators this season. It will be interesting to see how he handles different looks in 2023.

4. Quinn Ewers, Texas

He is starting over Arch Manning. He was also once considered to be the top recruit in the country. I would say he disappointed last season at Texas, but he also dealt with some injuries. There is still lots of potential here.

5. Tyler Shough, Texas Tech

This guy was money for the Red Raiders late in the season against Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Don’t be surprised if he keeps things rolling this year.

6. Blake Shapen, Baylor

Hey, he’s got some experience.

7. Chandler Morris, TCU

It’s easy to forget that he opened the 2022 season as starting quarterback before suffering an injury and giving way to Max Duggan. If he can stay healthy, he could be in for a big year.

I have no desire to rank the bottom half of the conference’s quarterbacks. Sorry!

It’s time for another K-State Q&A. Let’s dive into your questions. Thanks, as always, for providing them.

Give me the under on this one.

Even though I would put at least four Kansas State football players on my preseason All-Big 12 Team, I don’t think enough other media voters around the conference will do the same.

Athlon Sports, for example, only had two Wildcats on its preseason team.

Cooper Beebe is a mortal lock on the offensive line. But you can’t say the same for any other returning Wildcats.

The top candidates:

• Quarterback Will Howard

• Linebacker Daniel Green

• Linebacker Austin Moore

• Safety Kobe Savage

• Punt returner Phillip Brooks

• Tight end Ben Sinnott
  
  

• Defensive end Khalid Duke

Personally, I would go with Beebe, Brooks, Green and Sinnott for K-State to hit the over. But I don’t think any of them are household names. Media around the league are more likely to vote for players from Oklahoma and Texas.

I hope I’m wrong, because those guys deserve the preseason recognition.

In a related topic, I am debating what to do with the preseason ballot that recently arrived in my inbox. I usually decline to vote, mostly because it’s hard for me to select all-conference players before the games are played. But I might give it a try this year. If I do vote, should I rank the teams 1-14 as I actually think they will finish in the league standings? Or should I go totally random and skew the data as the one random media member who voted for West Virginia to win the conference?

Decisions. Decisions.

Strongest position: Quarterback.

This is the first time that I’ve been on the K-State beat when QB depth isn’t a worry for anyone in the fan base. Obviously, the Wildcats want Will Howard to stay healthy and take most of the snaps in 2023, but all won’t be lost if he misses action.

Jake Rubley is probably QB2 and he is a former four-star recruit.

Avery Johnson is hoping to redshirt, but he is the most talented player in the room and the obvious pick for QB of the future.

Adryan Lara has a cannon for an arm.

Jacob Knuth is a heck of a walk-on QB who just transferred in from Minnesota.

Honorable mention would be offensive line, a position that will likely play 10 deep next season.

Weakest position: Safety.

Kobe Savage is returning from torn ACL and everyone else at the position is brand new.

K-State always seems to find a way to succeed at defensive back, no matter who it has back there. So I’m confident the Wildcats will end up being just fine in the secondary. But some position has to be the weakest on the roster, and this seems like the pick because of those question marks.

Honorable mention would be receiver as the Wildcats look to replace Malik Knowles and Kade Warner.

Three seems like a nice round number.

Cooper Beebe could be a first-round pick. Daniel Green feels like a late-round selection. And I won’t be surprised at all if Will Howard, Khalid Duke or another member of the offensive line is able to make the cut.

A multi-player draft streak is in the cards.

There are some long-term plans to upgrade Bramlage Coliseum with everything from a new roof to a lower-level entrance, but none of those projects are considered a priority at the moment.

K-State is in the process of completing several expensive facility updates on campus, and the hope is that the Wildcats can take a break from that for a while and let donors focus their dollars on things like NIL and coaching salaries.

The new volleyball and track facilities are on schedule.

In a few months, we might not see any construction around the football stadium anymore.

Unfortunately, the city of Manhattan will more than make up for that with its road crews. I’m telling you, we should all strive to be like the roads in the Little Apple. Never stop working on yourself!

I mean, if I could pick any winner I would obviously pick myself.

The US Open is the most democratic championship in all of sports. Any golfer with a low handicap can try to qualify for the event and ultimately finish in first place.

Why not me?

Many years ago, when I was a carefree teenager, I played for my high school golf team and posted red numbers in a few tournaments. I was also lucky to break 90 on occasion, but even Tiger Woods has off days. Point is, I used to have some talent on the links.

If I ignored my family and my job for a few months and focused entirely on golf, I’m confident those talents would return. Here’s to hoping I hoist the US Open trophy in 2024!

In terms of this year’s event, my favorite winner would be Phil Mickelson. Not only would that give him the career Grand Slam, it would send shockwaves through the golf community now that the PGA Tour and LIV have merged.

That being said, I think Scottie Scheffler will win.

I placed a bet (9 to 1) on him to do exactly that. I also threw some couch change at Bryson DeChambeau (45 to 1) and Gary Woodland (150 to 1) because why not?

Feeling good about those picks so far, but it might also be time to invest in Rickie Fowler after what he did on Thursday.

Rally House is the next store up.

I think that is a good move for Kansas State. Who among us doesn’t enjoy walking through a Rally House and checking out all their team gear?