And just like that, KSU's life after Collin Klein just got a whole lot better.
Tonight, Kansas State received a verbal commitment from the nation's JUCO Offensive Player of the Year, QB Jake Waters.
Waters is a junior college All-American who led Iowa Western to a national title this season. He completed 73.3 percent of his passes along the way and rushed for nearly 300 yards. He is also a smart player, and threw three interceptions. On Thursday, he was chosen NJCAA player of the year.
During a news conference, he said he was leaning toward choosing Penn State earlier this week but an in-home visit from K-State quarterbacks coach Del Miller changed his mind.
It also didn’t hurt that Klein called from New York last week in between Heisman Trophy obligations.
As late as last night, Waters was 50% leaning towards Penn State. He said he had a long discussion with his parents and his coaches, and with all things considered, went with his "gut," and chose the Cats.
Waters set an NJCAA record by completing 73.3 percent of his passes, going 244 of 333 for 3,501 yards with 39 touchdowns and only three interceptions. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Waters, who rushed 52 times for 256 yards and six TDs, chose K-State over Penn State.Here's the story from the school website on his selection as the POY.
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The Wichita Eagle has also reported Waters' teammate, Devon Nash, also an All-American, was going to follow in his footsteps.
Devon Nash, a 6-foot-5, 260 pound defensive end, announced Thursday that he has orally committing to play at K-State. Iowa Western safety Travis Green is also committed to the Wildcats.
Waters described Nash, who chose K-State over Oklahoma State, as “a stud.”
Nash said he picked the Wildcats because Bill Snyder’s reputation, the family atmosphere and the program’s track record for winning with junior college players.
“Historically, they have done the best with junior college kids,” Nash said via phone. “That was a huge factor. I come off the ball hard and I can either speed rush or strength rush. I switch it up and keep tackles guessing.
I think I will fit in well with the rest of the defensive line.”
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Kansas State also landed LB Travis Green from the 2012 JUCO National Champions.
Thank you Iowa Western Community College!
(ku got this amish guy).
"The recruiting process for me wasn't as crazy as it was for some of these other guys. It was down to Illinois and Kansas. Illinois called and said they had run out of scholarships.
So it made my decision easy to go to Kansas."
If I had made that quote up it wouldn't have been as funny as him actually saying that.
(Which he did.)
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The Cats also locked up a verbal tonight from 4-start LB from Missouri, Nick Ramirez. Dropping his commitment to Missouri in November, Ramirez opened up his recruiting and chose KSU over Nebraska, Iowa, and Purdue.
This is huge pick up for the Cats. Here's a great read on Ramirez from ESPN from earlier this year.
Boehm's respect for Ramirez's versatility is sky high. In addition to his power, Ramirez brings speed to the team, as his fastest 40-yard dash time is 4.57 seconds. Boehm has an appreciation for Ramirez being good, but it's Ramirez' desire to be better that makes him a favorite.
"He caught one of the fastest running backs [in Missouri] from the opposite side," Boehm said, referring to a touchdown-saving play as a freshman on current Missouri Tiger E.J. Gaines. "In the Staley game, he switched back and forth from positions. He's a great kid with a great attitude and will lead the team next year. He will be a good role model for hard-nosed kids.
"Most importantly, he's a hard worker and a freak in the weight room."
In addition to his offers, Ramirez has interest from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee and a host of other schools. Royce Boehm is expecting some of those interests to turn to offers very soon.
"He just has a passion for the game, and you can't teach that," Boehm said. "He understands the game. Whenever you're able to step on the field as a freshman, you've got a true understanding of what it takes to play. That's what he brings, and I think the next level will be huge for him."
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| Taken in April when no one knew how bad Missouri was. |
Forever is a long time.
In this case, it was about 7-months, or about the amount of time it took Pinkel and Missouri to become one of the worst teams in the SEC.
Welcome to the Kansas State family, Nick!
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