Before Labor Day weekend, three out of six national holidays await, and during this time, college football enthusiasts gear up for five consecutive days of thrilling action. Meanwhile, the transfer portal has significantly altered college roster landscapes in the 110 days since schedules were released. Notably, Kansas State saw substantial changes to its roster within just 24 hours between April 27 and April 28.
The addition of players via the transfer portal has positioned the team for optimal performance as they prepare to open the season on August 31 against Tennessee-Martin. Spring acquisitions like running back Dylan Edwards and nose tackle Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder have bolstered the team’s depth, addressing key areas of need. However, concerns linger regarding cornerback/safety depth, despite indications from spring drills suggesting that the defensive backfield talent matches up well against any other unit.
While only a fraction of the early portal acquisitions were defensive players, they address critical depth issues. Players like Alec Marenco and Jordan Riley have been added to enhance the team’s defensive capabilities. Coaches are particularly pleased with the depth provided by Riley, along with other additions and promising younger players.
Kansas State appears to have addressed speed deficiencies that hindered them in 2023, and fans eagerly anticipate the season opener on August 31. Following this game, the team faces tough opponents, including several that participated in postseason games in 2023. Moreover, the schedule includes challenging road matchups in New Orleans, the Salt Lake City metro area, Boulder, and Morgantown, West Virginia.
With less than 100 days to kickoff and the transfer portal acquisitions settling in, there is heightened anticipation for the 2024 season and the matchups that lie ahead.
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