MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State Hall of Fame head coach Bill Snyder announced Wednesday 22 student-athletes who plan on joining or have already joined the K-State football program as part of K-State’s 2017 Signing Class.

Additionally, Snyder announced that senior defensive end Davis Clark has been put on scholarship.

This year’s class includes 19 players from the high school ranks and three community-college players. Of the signing class, five – Mason Barta, Wyatt Hubert, Eli Huggins, Trace Kochevar and Da’Quan Patton – are currently enrolled at K-State and will participate in April’s spring practices, which culminate with the Purple/White Spring Game on April 22.

“We cannot accurately assess any class until the young men have been in the program for two or three years,” Snyder said. “For example, looking back two years ago to the 2015 class, I find that 18 of the 24 signees are presently in our two deep with two or more years of eligibility remaining, while many have played a vital role in this past season’s success.

“This year’s class appears to have met most of our needs, but not all. Therefore, the process to complete this year’s class is still a work in progress. Because we are such a young team collectively, we will graduate very few after the 2017 season, leaving us with as few as 14 available spots next year. That is a stark difference from our beginning in 1989 when we had only 47 on scholarship and could take all we could get.

“I have been impressed with the quality of character of each of these young men, as well as their collective commitment to become the best person, student and athlete possible.

“I am always so very appreciative of the high school and community-college coaches, administration and faculty throughout the state of Kansas and across the country for their assistance. I am most appreciative of the Kansas State faculty, administration, Dean of Students, Director of Finances and our athletic support staff, Athletics Director and President for their assistance in promoting our program and providing the great support services, education and caring relationships which exists within our University.”

K-State’s Class of 2017 includes 12 players on defense and 10 on offense. The class is comprised of four offensive linemen and defensive backs, three defensive ends and linebackers, two defensive tackles and tight ends, in addition to one fullback, a running back, a wide receiver and a quarterback.

K-State Football Signing Day Press Conference
February 1, 2017

Head Coach Bill Snyder
On linebacker Daniel Green…
“I like the fact that he is a very aggressive player. He has good speed and quickness, he has good size to go along with it and he flies around and just hits you. He is a good, aggressive tackler and does it in open space well. In our conference, you are tackling in open space more often than not. He is pretty good about those things in particular.”

On safety Elijah Walker…

“I liked his ability to run, and I like the way he processes information. That is how you play the game, by processing information. When you play in those safety spots, you have to be able to do it quickly so you do not waste initial steps to play fast. He does that and he is a good tackler and an aggressive player. He can play both the run and the pass game well. I like the fact that he has the capacity to play all of the safety positions.”

On Bernard Goodwater playing either running back or wide receiver…

“I want happy campers, and they have two decisions to make, one being which position they play. I council with them and we have not settled on a position yet. He still hangs on the running back position. So, if indeed that is the case, we are going to let him start out there.”

On the high school offensive linemen in the state of Kansas…

“First and foremost, they have become good players. I have said so many times we are a Midwestern state and there is that thing about Midwestern values and work habits, and I do not shy away from that. There is a reason why they talk about Midwestern values, and I think that is where a lot of these guys come from. Those are the kind of guys we like to have. I put those four and five stars on the value system and how hard he is going to work. That does not mean we exclude talent, but you have to have the other things as well.”

On linebacker Da’Quan Patton…

“It was a need that we had, and I think he fits the bill. He is a good run guy and runs around well. I like the way he flies around and tackles. He can play both inside and outside, and we can utilize him right now. He has good quickness to him. The coaches are in touch with all community-college coaches and his name came up on the board. It was not brand new, we have known about him for some time.”

On defensive ends Wyatt Hubert and Anthony Payne…

“I saw in them what I see in most of the defensive players we have now. I have said in here before that Jordan Willis had become the example – not of talent but of his attitude and his work habits. How hard he practices from the very beginning to the very end, and he is a self-made player. I see that in these guys. They go to work. They do not have any size impediments. They fit the category but a little bit taller. The weight is never an issue because we can manage that. They fit the bill and they play hard. They just fit the Jordan Willis mold.”

On K-State utilizing social media more in recruiting…

“We hired a young lady, Caitlin Murphy, to do graphics for us. She can get it put out very quickly. That’s on-going – they get something every day in the mail. They always have, but it’s probably a little more decorative now. Our recruiting coordinator, Taylor Braet, lives on social media. He does his and it is goofy stuff. I cannot stand to read it, but he does a pretty good job. It is going into that realm where most of these young guys live. We do a lot more with that, and certainly we stay up with where they are through their social media outlets, which tells you a lot. I ran my course with my venture to it with my (tweeting), but that wore me down. I spent too much time on it, so I got away from that.”

– k-statesports.com –

RYAN LACKEY

Asst. Director/Athletics Communications | K-State Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder began his signing day news conference by running through the sheer volume of returning starters next season, an odd tact on a day that celebrates newcomers.

The reason: Many of those newcomers are expected to fill what few holes remain.

The Wildcats landed four-star linebacker Daniel Green, top JUCO linebacker Daquan Patton and safety Gervarrius Owens late in the process, plugging up three of their biggest holes on defense.

Kansas State also filled up on offensive lineman and dominated in-state recruiting.

“Everybody always talks about finishing and we did, we finished last season quite well,” Snyder said Wednesday, “but as I try to tell our players all the time, starting is just as significant as finishing. We didn’t start well. The message I’m trying to portray with our program and with our players and coaches right now is we’re in the mode right now of starting. How well are we going to start?”

Other things to know:

Top 25 Class: No.

Best in class: Green was among the top-rated players in Oregon and a rare West Coast find coming out of Portland. He should compete for playing time right away after Elijah Lee declared a year early for the NFL draft. “He’s a very aggressive player,” Snyder said.

Best of the rest: Patton arrives at Kansas State from Trinity Valley Community College in Texas, and the second-team junior college All-American should push early for playing time.

Late addition: Owens had offers from Iowa State, Kansas and several other power schools, but chose Kansas State on signing day. He is another crucial signing to help solidify the backfield.

One that got away: Evan Fields, S, Midwest City, Okla. Kansas State went toe-to-toe with schools including Arizona State, UCLA and Notre Dame. Fields ultimately chose the Sun Devils.

How they’ll fit in: The Wildcats played more freshmen than just about anybody in the nation last season, so most of their talent on both sides of the ball will be returning this season. And that means expectations of competing for a Big 12 title are already rampant in Manhattan. Along with linebacker and safety, the Wildcats will have to replace defensive end Jordan Willis, the Big 12 defensive player of the year. There are several in-house candidates, but keep an eye on Xavier Davis, a three-star prospect from Pima (Arizona) Community College.

The Wildcats loaded up on offensive linemen in this year’s class, but the biggest difference-maker on that side of the ball might be three-star prospect Chabastin Taylor. The 6-foot-3 wide receiver from Giddings, Texas, could fill nicely the void left by senior Deante Burton.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas forward Carlton Bragg Jr. has been granted diversion for after being charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lawrence Municipal Court Administrator Vicki Stanwix confirmed Wednesday that an agreement had been reached in Bragg’s case. She did not comment on the terms.

Bragg was suspended from the third-ranked Jayhawks for the drug charge. The paraphernalia was found during the investigation of an alleged rape in December at McCarthy Hall, a dorm that houses the basketball team and other male juniors and seniors at the university. The KU Public Safety Office says there is no indication the two cases are related.

Calls to the city prosecutor and associate athletics director Jim Marchiony were not immediately returned. Bragg’s attorney Hatem Chahine declined to comment.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas coach David Beaty may have landed his quarterback of the future out of a Mississippi junior college. He might have landed his running back from there, too.

The Jayhawks unveiled a 27-member class on national signing day Wednesday that was highlighted by former Washington State quarterback Peyton Bender and running back Octavius Matthews. Both of them spent last season at Itawamba Community College, where they emerged as high-level recruits.

“It feels like a win,” Beaty said of landing them, “and that’s what it should feel like.”

Bender arrived on campus at the semester and will compete with Carter Stanley for the starting job this spring. But Matthews was a major surprise, considering the nation’s top JUCO running back decommitted from Auburn just last week and was also considering Louisville and Tennessee.

“I talked to him throughout the day. We’ve had communication throughout the recruiting process,” Bender said. “I just told him throughout the process to make your own decision.”

Other things to know:

Top 25 Class: No

Best in class: Matthews and Dominic Williams, RB, Independence, Texas. Matthews has the ability to play running back or in the slot, while Williams capped his prep career as one of the state’s leading rushers. Both should be able to help the Jayhawks immediately.

Best of the rest: Bender remained committed to the Jayhawks despite late overtures from Georgia, and the big-armed quarterback can make all the throws. Helping his cause is his familiarity with the Air Raid offense, which he played in at Washington State and Beaty uses at Kansas.

Late addition: Matthews was the biggest surprise of the class, faxing in his letter of intent on Wednesday. He should help cover the loss of running back Ke’aun Kinner to graduation.

One that got away: Grant Polley, OL, Denton, Texas. The Jayhawks were among the first to offer Polley, and he was a soft verbal commitment for a while. He ultimately chose Colorado.

How they’ll fit in: The Jayhawks were desperate to add defensive backfield depth after losing three starters to graduation, and they largely accomplished that by signing four recruits. Hasan Defense from Kilgore Community College in Texas and Shakial Taylor from Mesa Community College in Arizona have already signed with the Jayhawks and should be able to help immediately, and safety Antonio Cole from Highland Community College in Kansas was a late addition.

The biggest prize among them could be Robert Topps III, one of the top players from the Chicago area, who has the size at 6-2, 185 pounds to allow the Jayhawks to play more physically.

On offense, the big question will be whether Bender can beat out Stanley for the starting job this spring. Stanley showed some moxie after taking over the starting job last season, and Beaty has raved about his ability to make plays when everything breaks down.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Maddie Manning had 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals, Peyton Little scored 16, and No. 18 Oklahoma beat Kansas 89-52 on Wednesday for its eighth straight home win.

Manning was 8 of 9 from the floor, including 3 for 3 from distance, to help the Sooners shoot a season-high 59.2 percent. Her eight field goals tied a career high.

Gabbi Ortiz added 12 points and Gioya Carter 11 for Oklahoma (17-6, 8-3 Big 12). Freshman Nancy Mulkey blocked a career-best eight shots to help the Sooners finish with a season-high 13. Mulkey’s blocks were the fourth most in school history and the most since Courtney Paris in 2008.

Oklahoma started the game on a 15-2 run, outscored the Jayhawks 24-13 in the first quarter and led 47-28 at halftime. The Sooners finished the half shooting 73.1 percent for their best shooting half of the season.

Kylee Kopatich paced Kansas (7-15, 1-10) with 14 points and Jessica Washington added 11.

AP-KS–Kansas Prep Scores
Tuesday’s Scores
The Associated Press

The Saint Xavier Rams boys basketball team is 11-1 on the season.

The latest win came Tuesday night over Tescott 50-37 at the Bradley Gym at Saint Xavier. The Rams are undefeated at home this season.

TCU (14-7, 3-5 Big 12)

AT KANSAS STATE (15-6, 4-4 Big 12)

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 >> 6:30 p.m. >> Bramlage Coliseum (12,528) >> Manhattan, Kan.

COACHES

Kansas State: Bruce Weber (Wis.-Milwaukee ’78)

Overall: 407-215/19^th season

At K-State: 94-60/5^th season

1. TCU: 7-2 (4-0 at home)

TCU: Jamie Dixon (TCU ‘87)

Overall: 342-130/14th season

At TCU: 14-7/1st season

1. Kansas State: 1-0 (0-0 on the road)

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

Kansas State (15-6, 4-4 Big 12)

G: #3 Kamau Stokes (11.5 ppg., 4.5 apg.)

G: #5 Barry Brown (12.9 ppg., 3.3 rpg.)

G: #25 Wesley Iwundu (12.4 ppg., 5.6 rpg.)

F: #32 Dean Wade (9.5 ppg., 4.7 rpg.)

F: #4 D.J. Johnson (11.9 ppg., 6.5 rpg.)

TCU (14-7, 3-5 Big 12)

G: #0 Jaylen Fisher (8.9 ppg., 4.4 apg.)

G: #25 Alex Robinson (11.3 ppg., 2.6 rpg.)

G: #34 Kenrich Williams (10.4 ppg., 9.4 rpg.)

F: #10 Vladimir Brodziansky (14.0 ppg., 6.1 rpg.)

F: #15 J.D. Miller (6.4 ppg., 3.3 rpg.)

INSIDE THE SERIES

Overall: K-State leads 10-4 (series dates to 1947)

In Big 12 era: K-State leads 7-2 (4-0 at home)

In Manhattan: K-State leads 6-1 (W, 79-54, 3/2/2016)

Current Streak: K-State, 2

Last Meeting: K-State won 79-54 in Manhattan, Kan. (3/2/2016)

Weber vs. TCU: 7-2 (4-0 at home)

Weber vs. Dixon: 0-1 (0-0 at home)

GAME 22 – QUICK HITTERS

• Kansas State (15-6, 4-4 Big 12) returns home on Wednesday, as the Wildcats play host to first-year head coach Jaime Dixon and his upstart TCU Horned Frogs (14-7, 3-3 Big 12) at 6:30 p.m. CT at Bramlage Coliseum.
• Wednesday’s game marks the halfway point of the Big 12 slate, as the Wildcats will have played all nine league members. The team looks to go above .500 in league play at the midway point for the first time since 2015, while equaling their entire Big 12 win total (5) -from 2015-16.
• K-State and TCU are among 8 Big 12 teams in the Top 50 of ESPN’s BPI rankings as well as 7 league schools in the Top 50 of the NCAA’s RPI ratings. The Wildcats rank 32nd in the BPI and 44th in the NCAA RPI.
• The schools are two of the most improved Big 12 teams, as K-State is two wins shy of equaling its entire total (17) from 2015-16 while TCU has already improved their win total in both overall (12) and league play (2).
• K-State leads the all-time series with TCU, 10-4, including a 7-2 mark in the Big 12 era. The Wildcats have 6 of the 7 meetings at home, including all 4 since the start of Big 12 play. Last season, the Cats swept the season series for the third time, including a 79-54 win at home on March 2, 2016.
• K-State dropped its second straight game on the road on Saturday, as Tennessee jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in a 70-58 win in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The 58 points were a season-low for the Wildcats, as they converted on just 39.6 percent (19-of-48), including 31.3 percent (5-of-16) from 3-point range. The Vols scored nearly half of their 70 points in the paint (34) to go with an opponent-high 23 second-chance points.
• Sophomore Barry Brown paced three Wildcats in double figures with a game-tying 17 points, of which 15 came in the second half on 6-of-11 field goals. He has netted double digits points in the second half of 4 of the last 5 games, in which he is averaging 11.8 points on 50 percent (20-of-40) shooting, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range.
• K-State ranks among the national leaders in steals (8.3 spg./23rd) and turnovers forced (16.0/26th). The Wildcats have helped force double-digit turnovers in 19 games, including 10 or more steals 7 times, and have scored at least 12 points off those turnovers in 20 games.
• The Wildcats have been outscored 174-135 in the first half of their last 4 games, as opponents are shooting 52.2 percent (59-of-113) from the field, including 55.1 percent (27-of-49) from long range. In contrast, they have a 163-129 edge after halftime on 50.4 percent (57-of-113) shooting.

THE OPPONENT: TCU (15-6, 4-4 Big 12)

• TCU enters Wednesday’s game with a 14-7 overall record and a 3-5 mark in Big 12 play after dropping an 88-80 decision at home to Auburn in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge… The Horned Frogs have lost 4 in a row, including consecutive games on the road.
• The Frogs are averaging 76 points on 46.2 percent shooting, including 32.7 percent from 3-point range, on the season with 37 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 7.1 steals and 5.0 blocks per game… They are allowing foes 68.4 points per game on 43.3 percent shooting, including 34.4 percent from beyond the arc… The team is shooting 68.3 percent from the free throw line.
• TCU has 5 players averaging 8 or more points, including 3 in double figures, led by junior Vlad Brodziansky (14.0 ppg.)… He ranks 2nd in the Big 12 in field goal percentage (60.9), while he is 1st in blocked shots (2.5 bpg.)… Transfer Alex Robinson (11.3 ppg.) and junior Kenrich Williams (10.4 ppg.) also average double digits… Robinson is tops on the team in both assists (5.3 apg.) and steals (1.6 spg.), while Williams averages a team-best 9.4 rebounds per game.
• TCU is led by first-year head coach Jaime Dixon, who led Pittsburgh to 11 NCAA Tournaments from 2003-16.

BREAKING DOWN THE SERIES

• This will be the 15th meeting between the two schools with K-State holding a 10-4 advantage.
• K-State leads the series, 7-2, in the Big 12 era, including a 7-1 mark in regular-season meetings.
• K-State swept the series a season ago, winning 63-49 in Fort Worth on Feb. 16 before a 79-54 victory at home on March 2.
• K-State is 6-1 all-time in Manhattan, including 4-0 in the Big 12 era.

LAST TIME VS. TCU

• K-State won both meetings in 2016, including a 79-54 in the last visit to Bramlage Coliseum on March 2, 2016.
• K-State shot a staggering 76.2 percent in the first half, including 66.7 percent from 3-point range, en route to a 79-54 win over TCU at home on March 2, 2016… For the game, the Wildcats shot 56.5 percent (26-of-46) from the field, including 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range… Barry Brown led a balanced attack as he led four in double figures with 15 points.
• The Wildcats won the first meeting of 2016 by a score of 63-49 on Feb. 16, as Justin Edwards paced three players in double figures with a game-high 17 points… Barry Brown (16) and Dean Wade (14) also registered double digits.
• Among those returning, Brown averaged 15.5 points on 61.1 percent shooting, including 64.3 percent from 3-point range, in 2 starts against TCU, while Wade averaged 12 points on 57.1 percent shooting in 2 starts.

HOME SWEET HOME

• K-State has a 150-28 (.843) record at Bramlage Coliseum over the past 10 seasons, including 65-23 (.739) mark in Big 12 play.
• K-State has a 351-108 record (.765) at Bramlage Coliseum, which are the 2nd-most wins behind the 378 at Ahearn Field House.
• The Wildcats have posted double-digit wins at Bramlage Coliseum for 16 consecutive seasons and 24 times in the 29-year history of the arena… The team is 11-1 in home venues this season, including 10-1 at Bramlage Coliseum.
• K-State is 34-55 (.382) all-time against Top 25 foes at Bramlage Coliseum, including 19-15 (.559) since 2008.
• Head coach Bruce Weber is 66-13 (.835) at Bramlage Coliseum, including 30-10 (.750) vs. Big 12 opponents.

CATS EFFICIENT ON OFFENSE

• K-State is averaging 75.0 points on 48.1 percent shooting (554-of-1151) and 37.6 percent from 3-point range (157-of-418), through the first 21 games with assists on 62 percent of its made field goals (341/554) and a +3.0 turnover margin.
• The Wildcats may rank just 9th in the Big 12 in scoring offense, but they place in Top 5 in most offensive categories, including 3rd in turnover margin, 4th in field goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage and assists and 5th in 3-point field goals made.
• K-State’s 8 games of 80 or more points equals the entire total of such games from 2015-16 and are the most since the Wildcats scored 80 or more points 11 times in 2010-11… The 8 games are double the totals from 2013-14 (4) and 2014-15 (4).
• The current 75.0 points per game scoring average is the highest since the 2009-10 team averaged 79.7 points per game, while the 48.1 field goal percentage is the highest since the 1987-88 team connected on 50.6 percent and the 37.6 3-point field goal percentage is the highest since the 1989-90 team connected on 39.0 percent from long range.
• K-State has shot 50 percent or better 10 times this season, including on 5 occasions in Big 12 play… The Wildcats have shot 50 percent or better against Omaha (11/15), Hampton (11/20), Green Bay (11/30), Saint Louis (12/3), Prairie View A&M (12/6), Kansas (1/3), Oklahoma (1/7), Texas Tech (1/10), Oklahoma State (1/18) and West Virginia (1/21).
• K-State has connected on at least 50 percent of its field goals in at least one half of 17 games this season, including hitting the mark in both halves against Hampton (11/20), Green Bay (11/30), Prairie View A&M (12/6), Oklahoma (1/7) and OSU (1/18).
• K-State has totaled at least 15 assists in 14 of 20 games this season, including 20 or more 5 times… The Wildcats dished out 20 or more assists in 3 consecutive games (vs. Green Bay, Saint Louis and Prairie View A&M) for first time since 2010-11.

OFFENSIVE BALANCE HAS BEEN KEY

• Four of 5 starters are averaging in double figures led by sophomore Barry Brown (12.9 ppg.), senior Wesley Iwundu (12.4 ppg.), senior D.J. Johnson (11.9 ppg.) and sophomore Kamau Stokes (11.5 ppg.), while 6 players are averaging 8 or more points… 6 different players have led the team in scoring, including a team-best 6 times by Brown.
• K-State was the only Big 12 team to have all 5 starters averaging double figures until Wade dropped to 9.5 points per game.
• All 5 starters scored in double figures vs. No. 7/8 West Virginia (1/21) for the 6th time under Bruce Weber, including the 4th time this season and 3rd time in Big 12 play, while a season-high 6 scored double digits in the win over Colorado State (12/17)… It marked the 3rd time under Weber that 6 players had double figures and the first time since Southern Utah on Nov. 14, 2014.
• All 5 starters scored in double figures in consecutive Big 12 games at No. 3/2 Kansas (1/3) and Oklahoma (1/7) for the first time since at least the 2005-06 season… Starters connected on 52.2 percent in the games against the Jayhawks and Sooners.
• K-State narrowly missed having all 5 starters in double figures at Texas Tech (1/10) and at Oklahoma State (1/18)… Brown and Iwundu each finished with 9 vs. the Red Raiders, while Wade was the only starter to not score double digits vs. the Cowboys.
• At least 4 Wildcats have scored in double figures in 13 of 21 games, including at least 3 in 20 games… In all, 7 have at least 1 double-digit scoring game with 6 having at least 10 double-digit scoring games led by Brown’s 17 games of 10 or more points.
• Nine Wildcats are shooting 45 percent or better from the field, including 3 of 5 starters… The starters are shooting a combined 47.9 percent from the field (429-of-895), including 37.1 percent (108-of-291) from 3-point range, this season.
• In all, starters are responsible for 77 percent of the team’s 1,576 points and 554 made field goals, 69 percent of the 157 made 3-pointers and 81.2 percent of the 341 assists… They also own 72 of the 83 double-digit scoring games.

Tom Gilbert – Associate Director for Athletic Communications – K-State Athletics

The Royals and designated hitter Brandon Moss have agreed to a $12 million, two-year contract to provide some power to the Kansas City lineup, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday because Moss still must pass a physical to make the deal official. That’s expected to happen later this week.

Moss hit just .225 in 128 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, but his average was dragged down by a poor final stretch. He still wound up hitting 28 homers, and that power is what the Royals are hoping he will bring to a lineup that is otherwise built around speed and defense.

He is expected to take over for Kendrys Morales, who parlayed a successful run in Kansas City into a $33 million, three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Junction City High School has selected Aaron Craig as the new Lady Jay Head Softball Coach, pending Board of Education approval.

Craig is a physical education – health teacher at JCHS and works as an assistant football coach and boys swimming coach.

Craig comes to the softball program with previous softball head coaching experience in Hutchinson, El Dorado and Bishop Carroll high schools. He brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience spread across football, softball, basketball, swimming, powerlifting, and track.

Aaron will be replacing Jeremy Harrison who coached last season.