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Chris Klieman’s Latest Press Conference: Spring Reflections, Roster Depth, and Portal Strategy
- Jon Grove
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman met with the media this week, offering a thorough update on the Wildcats’ spring football progress, roster management, and the challenges of the modern college football landscape. Here are the key takeaways from his latest remarks:
Spring Wrap-Up: Growth and Development
Coach Klieman described the current period as a “discretionary week,” with players lifting on their own as they prepare for finals. “Things are winding down here, with our guys getting away for a little bit. Coaches are on the road recruiting,” Klieman said, noting the early start to summer workouts after Memorial Day.
Klieman highlighted the maturity and growth of quarterback Avery Johnson:
“You could tell there’s so much more of a comfort level. Last year at this time, he had played one game. Now he’s got another twelve, thirteen games under his belt. The confidence he has, the leadership that he has, it’s made our whole offense a lot more confident, a lot more efficient.”
Despite missing a full complement of spring practices due to injuries, Klieman felt positive about the offense’s progress, especially with the addition of experienced receivers like Jayce Brown, Caleb Medford, and Jaron Tibbs. Their immediate impact was evident, as they quickly adapted to the system and elevated the passing game.
Roster Depth: 107 Players and Managing Injuries
A notable point from Klieman’s update: Kansas State currently has 107 players on the roster. This depth has been crucial, especially as injuries impacted spring practices. On defense, soft tissue injuries left the Wildcats piecing together practices and rotating players more frequently. “We finished spring ball with two running backs practicing and four tight ends practicing and maybe six linebackers. We didn’t have the bodies to do double reps,” Klieman explained.
Despite these challenges, the depth allowed younger players to step up and gain valuable reps. Klieman specifically praised the development of Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh in the secondary, noting their readiness to take on larger roles.
Offensive Adjustments and Transfer Additions
On the offensive line, Klieman discussed the importance of adding veteran players to supplement the roster, especially given injuries to key contributors like John Pastore. He emphasized the need for depth and experience: “You lose veteran guys and you want to replace them with the young guys that are up and coming… but they don’t have that game experience. And so we had the opportunity to land a couple of guys, and I thought it was important.”
Regarding new addition JB Nelson, Klieman shared,
“JB’s a guy that brings a lot of experience and toughness. He’s played in big games, and he’s not going to be fazed by the moment. He’s fit in well with our group and is already showing leadership on and off the field.”
Klieman said the plan is to rotate more offensive linemen this year to keep players fresh, especially early in the season: “We feel like we have the ability to play eight or nine guys. Now will we get all those guys in every game? I don’t know. But I know early on in the season, that’s one of the things Brian Lepak and Drew Liddle want to focus on.”
Retention and the Transfer Portal Era
When asked about retaining players amid the transfer portal’s influence, Klieman emphasized the importance of relationships, development, and transparency:
“It’s relationships, it’s development, it’s growth… I believe that the relationships and the development and what we’re doing downstairs on First Floor with nutrition, with strength, with athletic training, with recovery, I think it’s as good as there is in college football.”
Klieman also noted that Kansas State’s relatively smaller staff helps foster closer relationships between players and coaches, which aids retention.
The speed of portal recruiting was another hot topic. “It moves the same as it does in December… you have to vet, evaluate, talk to, figure out where they fit in your roster, figure out where they fit in the rev share contract area within about two hours,” he explained. Klieman credited GM Clint Brown and special teams coordinator Nate Kaczor for their efficiency in managing this process.
Secondary Rebuild and Player Development
Replacing defensive backs bound for the NFL is no small task, but Klieman praised the development of young players and the addition of experienced transfers. “Happy with Donnie Mac and Zashon because they really have taken another step,” he said, expressing confidence in the secondary’s depth and competition heading into the fall.
Moving Forward
While Klieman expressed optimism about certain areas, particularly the addition of experienced receivers and the potential of the offensive line, he acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries, the constant pressure of the transfer portal, and the need for continued development across the roster. The focus now shifts to summer workouts, where the team will look to solidify its depth and address lingering concerns before the start of the season.