Kansas State’s offensive line is taking some early hits in training camp.
As the Wildcats move into their third week under new head coach Collin Klein, two of the unit’s most important pieces were missing from practice Tuesday: John Pastore and Tanner Morley.
Pastore, a 6-foot-6, 302-pound senior, started all 12 games at left tackle last season and was expected to be a key part of the front this fall. He also earned a spot on the preseason All-Big 12 team. Morley, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound junior transfer from Colorado State, was another player K-State was counting on to make an immediate impact, with the chance to start on the interior after opening his college career with the Rams.
K-State officials did not offer details on why either player was absent, but both are believed to be dealing with injuries. There’s no timetable for when they might return, and their inability to even be around practice right now is not a promising sign.
George Fitzpatrick’s situation doesn’t look much better. The Ohio State transfer was present Tuesday, but he stayed in street clothes and did not take part in drills. Fitzpatrick missed all of last season while recovering from a summer medical scare, and while some had hoped he’d be back in the mix this year, Collin Klein has said he still has work to do before he can be medically cleared.
For the moment, Kansas State is trying to piece together a front five without three players who were all seen as potential starters.
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Kansas State Just Got A Bigger Offensive Line Concern
Kansas States first open practice to the media on Aug. 18 offered an early look at how the offensive line might take shape, but it also added another layer of uncertainty. Left tackle John Pastore and left guard Tanner Morley were not on the field, leaving two important spots on the front line without their expected options as the Wildcats continued early preseason work.
The absence only deepens a position group that already had questions heading into camp, and there has been no official word from the program on why either player was out or how long the situation might last. For a team trying to settle its protection up front, the lack of clarity makes the left side of the line one of the more closely watched areas moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
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