Redshirt sophomore Dalton Risner is the lone returning starter on the offensive line for the Kansas State football team heading into the 2016 season.

He said it’s kind of hard being a redshirt sophomore and thinking he’s the veteran. ” I think that’s the attitude I need to have on the offensive line this year.  I need to take it whether I’m a veteran or not. I need to take it whether I’m a veteran or not. You I think I need to take that role and run with it because we need to fill four more spots on the offensive line this season, so I’m trying my best to do that.”

Risner will seek to retain his starting spot at center this season after starting 13 games at that position for K-State last season. He earned First Team Freshman All-america honors from Campus Insiders and second-team honors from Athlon and Scout. He also received Second Team Academic All-Big 12 accolades.

Bill Snyder noted about the offensive line during his Media Day press conference that right now it’s very competive. They are trying to establish a two-deep which might be eight or nine guys. “If we get ten that would be great, if we get nine that’s not quite as good but that’s better. Eight is a number that we’ve worked with over a number of years to creat a two-deep. If you get less than that you’ve got some issues. We’re still working at that, and the youngsters are very competitive about it.”

Snyder added just trying to find the two-deep is the biggest aspect of that area.

The Wildcats have some time to sort things out. They open the season on September 2 at Stanford.