The Kansas State Wildcats has plenty of trouble moving the ball last season after quarterbacks Jesse Ertz and Alex Delton were lost for the season with injury. Much of the blame then fell on third-stringer Joe Hubener for K-State's problems, but Today's U's Sean Cordy says the wide receivers are just as much to blame.
Perhaps what will truly decide the offense’s success beyond who lines under center, though, is who’s on the receiving end of these hypothetical passes. Not only was KSU hurt by the loss of Waters in 2015, but the loss of its No. 1 receiver Tyler Lockett as well. Lockett posted two consecutive years over 1,200 yards receiving, while also being a consistent return man. The blade cuts both ways. Without a quarterback to throw, receivers can’t play their part as easily.
Last season, it took four receivers to match Lockett’s senior season output.
Kansas State's staff made upgrading their receiving core a huge priority this offseason, and they think they have found their next star in Byron Pringle:
While not entirely the same player that Locket was, the Wildcats look to have some hope in JUCO product Byron Pringle, who was good for 163 yards and a touchdown in the spring game. Pair him up with Deante Burton, the team’s leading receiver, the two could help mask any problems in finding that one quarterback to control the offense.
Ertz and Delton are both back healthy and competing for the starting job ahead of the 2016 season, but K-State needs Pringle to become a go-to guy for their offense to reach their full potential.
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