K-State Q&A: Dante Cephas, dynamic tight ends and Big 12 predictions for Wildcats

It’s time for another K-State Q&A.

We have plenty of fun topics to cover this week on the Wildcats before they hit the road for an away game against BYU.

So let’s dive right into your questions. Thanks, as always, for providing them.

Is it too early to declare Dante Cephas a bust? - Andrew B. via e-mail.

I guess it depends on what your expectations were for Cephas.

Do I think he is going to be a game-changing receiver for the Wildcats this season? No.

Do I think he can still make a few nice catches and help K-State as a receiver? Yes.

Some thought the Penn State transfer would be one of the best wide outs on the entire roster and have a monster year. That clearly is not going to happen, as he only has one catch for nine yards after three games. Avery Johnson targeted him a few times against Arizona and bad things seemed to happen every time the ball came his way.

It has been concerning to watch his drops.

Cephas and Johnson aren’t exactly on the same page.

That could change and Cephas could end up making some solid plays for the Wildcats as the season progresses. But I’m not expecting him to be anything more than a role player.

Offensive coordinator Conor Riley had this to say about Cephas on Thursday.

“I still have a ton of belief in Dante,” Riley said. “He’s had a great week of preparation and I’m looking forward to seeing him bounce back this this upcoming week. Sometimes expectations aren’t met with reality. Here’s this kid who’s this, this and this. But I think he’s had a really good week of practice. I’ve really liked his attitude and I’m excited for him to continue to grow. I know there’s more in him.”

Seeing how we use tight ends this year, do you think this stat line is too conservative for Linkon Cure next year: 50 catches, 36 touchdowns and 800 yards -@garretts_myth via X.

Those particular stats would probably be enough to secure Linkon Cure a spot in the K-State Ring of Honor, regardless of what he did with his other seasons in purple.

Ben Sinnott set every school record imaginable for tight ends last season by catching 49 passes for six touchdowns and 676 yards.

Your “conservative” stats have Cure topping him in every category.

I don’t want to say anything is impossible for the highest-rated recruit to step foot on K-State’s campus in decades, but I also doubt he can make that much of an impact as a freshman.

Also: No K-State player at any position has caught more than 14 touchdowns in a single season. I’m going to say 36 is out of reach.

Now, I’m sure your question was somewhat in jest. Those stats would be absurd for anyone in a K-State football uniform.

But, in all seriousness, the ceiling has never been higher for a talented tight end in Manhattan. Brayden Loftin and Will Swanson have both already caught two touchdowns this season. Avery Johnson isn’t afraid to target his tight ends and make them an exciting part of the offense.

Riley also seems to know how to scheme them open in the red zone.

Cure could definitely put up some big numbers while he is in the Little Apple.

Who knows? Maybe K-State is on its way to rivaling Iowa as Tight Ends U.

How are you preparing for the high altitude and the stress it will put on your reporting ability? -@ChadFullington via X.

I’m confident my body can handle the thin air while I walk around Provo and watch a football game.

My first job out of college was in Idaho, and I spent several years living high above sea level. Can’t say I really noticed a difference unless I was running a long distance. I would much rather run a 5K in Kansas than in the mountains.

But I am worried about something else. My flight home is super early on Sunday morning. Will I get any sleep after covering a Big 12 After Dark game?

Does BYU think handing out ice cream to the opposing fans gives a false sense of hope or are they really just that nice? -@ChadFullington via X.

This reminds me a lot of Nebraska fans giving the opposing team a standing ovation after games.

Yes, it’s a nice gesture. But I think the tradition exists simply to make themselves look like classy fans more than anything else. And they probably only enjoy doing it when their team is winning.

If BYU fans were super nice they would hand out $100 bills to visiting fans.

Free ice cream does sound good, though. Maybe BYU fans are onto something with that one.

By the way, the folks at BYU TV put together a nice video profile on former K-State football coach Bill Snyder this week. I’m not sure why they did it. You didn’t see The Longhorn Network doing that sort of thing for other teams in the Big 12. But it was well done and worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some nostalgia.

Who wins best non-conference player for K-State on offense, defense and special teams? Who do you believe will win those titles in Big 12 play? - @bfullingt1 via X.

For the first three games I’m going to go with ...

Austin Romaine on defense.

I knew the sophomore linebacker was good, but I didn’t expect him to be leading the Wildcats in tackles. Nor did I expect to see him record two sacks and force a critical fumble that led to a touchdown against Tulane.

Romaine has been one of the best players on the entire K-State defense, and that is a great sign for the remainder of his college football career.

On offense: DJ Giddens. He has been rock solid as a workhorse runner for the Wildcats. It seems like he can do anything his team needs him to do.

On special teams: Dylan Edwards. A case could be made for him to win this award on offense, too. We all knew he was going to make an impact at running back this season.

But his production has been silly. He is scoring so many touchdowns that he is averaging 1.09 points per touch and ranks only behind kicker Chris Tennant when it comes to points scored this season.

That is bonkers. K-State needs to keep finding new ways to get him the ball.

As for my predictions for Big 12 play ...

On offense: Avery Johnson. If the Wildcats go on to have a special season, the quarterback needs to be the MVP.

On defense: Marques Sigle. The senior safety has been a little quite in terms of statistics thus far, but he is a vocal leader and I think we will see big plays from him in the future.

On special teams: Edwards. No one will be surprised if he returns another punt or two for a touchdown.