Kansas State is still sorting through pieces of its offense and defense in training camp, but one of the clearer bright spots has been cornerback JoJo Scott.
Scott, who spent most of last season on special teams while he adjusted to the college game, has put himself in position to crack the secondary rotation this fall. The sophomore from Victory Christian in Lakeland, Fla., has drawn praise for the way he handled the spring and carried that momentum into camp.
Peterson pointed to Scott’s growth away from the ball as much as anything.
"I think number one, it's his maturity level," Peterson said. "He is showing himself over these last eight and a half months that he approaches it like a pro.
What I mean by that is he's constantly inquisitive. He's asking questions.
He's trying to figure out, 'Ok, cool, I know this is what my job is, but why? Where does it fit in the bigger piece?
Where is my help?' He's done a really, really nice job, and obviously the play on the field has continued to get better and better and better.
So, I'm really excited about his progress and where he's at right now."
That’s a significant turn for a player who was still getting comfortable a year ago. Now, Scott looks like someone who could factor in the defensive back rotation.
Kansas State’s offensive line, meanwhile, has a major question at left tackle after losing John Pastore and George Fitzpatrick for the season. Pastore suffered a lower leg injury during training camp, while Fitzpatrick remains sidelined by a medical emergency that also kept him out last season.
First-year Wildcats coach Collin Klein said the spot remains unsettled, but he likes the competition he’s seeing.
"I'm really excited to see who steps up. I think it'll be a bit by committee, especially early, as we continue to gel, even as we start playing games."
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Collin Klein has already pointed to Grahams progress, saying the defensive back has made strides in coverage and communication as he pushes for playing time. That combination matters in a defense where the JACK spot can become a key chess piece, and Kansas State will keep watching to see whether Grahams JUCO reputation translates quickly enough to the Big 12 level. For now, hes one of the more intriguing competition stories on the roster, and the kind of player whose role could grow faster than expected if the early signs keep holding up. [Read more 🡒]