Kansas State came into this season with one of the most talked-about tight end prospects in program history, and Linkon Cure still stands as the Wildcats’ highest-rated recruit ever. But through the early stretch, the production hasn’t matched the buzz.
Cure has caught only three passes for 23 yards, a modest start for a player who drew attention from nearly every major program before landing in Manhattan. First-year coach Collin Klein said the Wildcats are confident the involvement will grow.
"He's been doing a great job. It'll be crucial for us," Klein said during his weekly press conference.
"We've been in 12 personnel a lot and used all three of those guys in a lot of different ways. So, I'm not worried about him stepping up and doing a great job."
The hype around Cure began long before he got to campus. The Goodland, Kan., standout was a three-sport star in high school, shining in basketball and track along with football. Oregon and Texas A & M were among the schools pushing hard for him, but Cure stayed home and chose Kansas State.
There were flashes as a freshman. He finished last season with six catches for 37 yards before injuries slowed him midway through the year. Now, the Wildcats are trying to find a cleaner path to getting him more involved.
That task hasn’t been simple. Garrett Oakley and Will Anciaux have both been part of the reason Cure’s role has grown slowly. Oakley is drawing interest from multiple NFL teams ahead of next year’s draft, while Anciaux has been a steady contributor over the past two seasons.
Even with that depth, Kansas State wants to keep finding ways to get Cure touches. The staff views him as one of the team’s best playmakers, and Klein said his athleticism makes him different from the typical tight end.
"I don't know exactly what the numbers per percent as far as him being targeted," Klein said. "I don't know if I could speak to that specifically, or what it should be. I know we got three really good ones."
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Kansas State Already Faces Doubts In The Big 12 Race
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For Kansas State, the concern is less about one bad weekend and more about how crowded the race is becoming around it. The conference board now includes teams building momentum in different ways, and the early standings are beginning to separate the clubs that can afford a stumble from the ones already feeling pressure to keep up. Where the Wildcats fit in that mix is becoming one of the more interesting questions in the Big 12. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State's Recruiting Momentum Just Added Another Early Defensive Win
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Johnsons decision also points to the kind of relationships Kansas State has been able to build on the trail, especially with defensive line coach Buddy Wyatt. The fit appears to have gone beyond the field, with Johnson drawn to the programs football culture and the academic options in Manhattan, giving the Wildcats a promising early win as they look ahead. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Heads Into Bye Week With One Problem It Must Fix
Collin Klein spent the first part of Kansas States bye week looking back at what went wrong in the Wildcats Big 12 opener against Cincinnati. The loss gave the staff a clear snapshot of where the team stands after the first conference game, and the time off now gives Klein a chance to sort through the tape without the pressure of preparing for another opponent right away.
Run defense and mental errors have emerged as the biggest areas of concern, and those are the kinds of issues a bye week can help sharpen if the work is sharp enough. Kansas State will have a little more time to clean things up before it returns to action against Houston on Oct. 10, with the hope that the break leads to a more disciplined version of the Wildcats when the schedule resumes. [Read more 🡒]