“We’ve been pretty thin at defensive end over the past couple of years,” Wyatt remarked in an interview on the school’s athletic website during spring football. “But this year, we have depth. I’m looking forward to rotating a lot of players onto the field.”
Travis Bates, recognized as a Phil Steele Freshman All-American, demonstrated his capabilities with 32 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, 3 sacks, and two pass breakups in nine starts last season.
Bates exemplifies the qualities Wyatt seeks in defensive linemen.
“As we’ve been developing our three-down defensive package, we’ve identified the diverse skill set needed at that position,” Wyatt explained. “They must be effective pass rushers while also holding their ground against the run. We have players who can excel in both roles.
“We’re confident in deploying a pass-rush package on third downs and a stout lineup on goal-line situations to prevent touchdowns.”
Even during the spring season, months ahead of their first game, Wyatt expressed enthusiasm about the potential of young defensive linemen.
“We’ve lost some outstanding players, but I’m genuinely excited about our younger guys,” Wyatt added. “They’re still developing and have the potential to be exceptional.”
David Boyce, a contributing writer for K-State On SI, can be contacted at davidboyce95@gmail.com.
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