Know Your Foe: Kansas State Football Players to Watch at the Big 12 Championship

Key players from the Wildcats to watch when they take on the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday.

The TCU Horned Frogs take on the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday, December 3, at the Big 12 Championship. Here are some key players on the Kansas State team that TCU fans should know before the game.

QB #18 Will Howard

Three-star Quarterback from Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Junior

The 6'5", 235 lb. quarterback did not start the season but has been very successful In the later half of the season, leading the team. Howard is a far different type of quarterback from Adrian Martinez, who was their starter at the beginning of the year. Howard is more of a pro-style quarterback and likes to throw the ball a lot more than Martinez, who was a dual-threat quarterback. He has been very good in the past few weeks, and he and the offense seem to be rolling. TCU needs to be prepared for a different Kansas State team than when they originally played them. TCU has seen Howard before, so I think they will be ready for him again.

K-State continues to find guys who exemplify this university. Will Howard got thrown in the fire at 18 years old during a Covid year. He got thrown in again when Skylar got injured. Fans were brutal. He kept working. He persevered. He's developed into a killer at the QB position. pic.twitter.com/wTDJyJ0OQK

— Mike Stanley (@Stanimal032) November 30, 2022

Will Howard 	2020	2021	2022
Pass Attempts	168	55	132
Completions	90	30	83
Completion %	53.6%	54.5%	62.9%
Passing Yards	1,178	332	1,224
Passing Average	7.0	6.0	9.3
Passing Touchdowns	8	1	13
Interceptions	10	1	2
Passing Long	70	68	80
Sacks	7	2	3
Ratings	116.3	107.6	170.2

RB #22 Deuce Vaughn

Three-star Running Back from Round Rock, Texas. Junior

Despite his size standing at 5'6" and 176 lbs., Deuce Vaughn is one of the nation's best running backs. He is one of the most explosive players in the nation, as he is having a tremendous season. Vaughn has a great burst of speed with a great sidestep move, which allows him to bounce past defenders. He is also very quick, and if he gets past you, he will take it to the house. Vaughn is also a good route runner, giving the Wildcats another target option. Vaughn might be Kansas State's biggest weapon. Even though the Frogs slowed him down the first time, they should still definitely be prepared for him so they don't get caught off guard.

Deuce Vaughn	2020	2021	2022
Rushing Attempts	123	235	245
Rushing Yards	642	1,404	1,295
Rushing Average	5.2	6.0	5.3
Rushing Touchdowns	7	18	7
Rushing Long	38	80	69

WR #4 Malik Knowles

Three-star Wide Receiver from Mansfield, Texas. Senior

Malik Knowles has arose as Kansas State's number-one receiver and go-to option. He has a good. all-time frame, standing at 6'3" and 200 lbs. Knowles uses his size and speed to separate himself from smaller defenders. He is not the best route runner, but he has shown that he has improved. He does a great job finding holes and soft spots in zone coverage. TCU will need to apply pressure to him and stay in front of him so he cannot bully his way to receptions.

Malik Knowles has really turned it on for his senior season

•At K-State he ranks 9th all time in receiving yards -1811
•10th in receptions -123
•7th in rec TDs -14
•6th in all purpose yards -3674
•1st among WR in rush yards -352
•4th in KR yards -1511
•4th in KR TDs -3 pic.twitter.com/WpeVpSch5O

— The Kansas State Fan (@Thekstatefan) November 22, 2022

Malik Knowles	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Receptions	10	27	13	29	46
Yards	100	397	204	441	679
Average	10.0	14.7	15.7	15.2	14.8
Touchdowns	2	3	3	4	2
Long	21	70	35	68	68

WR #8 Phillip Brooks

Wide Receiver from Lee's Summit, Missouri. Senior

Phillip Brooks is not the biggest receiver you will encounter, only standing at 5'7' and 169 lbs. However, he is one of the most explosive receivers you will see. Brooks is an amazing special teams returner due to his speed and quick acceleration. He is also the team's second go-to option because he is a great route runner and uses his speed to his advantage. TCU will need to watch him, especially in the open field, because that is when he is the most dangerous.

All-Big 12 honors for Kansas State:

- Defensive Player and Lineman of the Year: Felix Anudike-Uzomah

- O-Lineman of the Year: Cooper Beebe

- 1st team: Ben Sinnott, Julius Brents, Beebe, Felix.

- 2nd team: Deuce Vaughn, Malik Knowles, Phillip Brooks, Kobe Savage, Ty Zentner.

— Kellis Robinett (@KellisRobinett) November 30, 2022

Phillip Brooks	2019	2020	2021	2022
Receptions	26	15	43	35
Yards	253	155	543	495
Average	9.7	10.3	12.6	14.1
Touchdowns	1	2	2	4
Long	21	25	56	81

DE #91 Felix Anudike-Uzomah

Three-star Defensive End from Kansas City, Missouri. Junior

Felix Anudike-Uzomah is one of the best defensive ends in college football. He is the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and the Defensive Lineman of the Year. He is 6'4", 235 lbs., and he uses his size to his advantage. His large wing span and strength allows him to power through blockers. He also is very flexible and uses the twist to get through the line. He struggles with pass rushing, so that is good news for TCU. However, the TCU offensive line really needs to work hard to keep him out so they can establish a good run game.

Let’s go my dawg!! You earned it my man. Now let’s finish the job‼️ https://t.co/jcddCo2HzX

— Brendan Mott (@brendan_mott) November 30, 2022

LB #41 Austin Moore

The linebacker from Louisburg, Kansas. Junior

Moore leads the Wildcats in tackles and is a huge part of this Kansas State defense. He does a great job with rushing the quarterback and stopping the run. TCU will need to be cautious of him when forming their game plan.

Pretty cool seeing former KSU walk-ons Hayden Gillum (OL) & Austin Moore (LB) earn All-Big 12 honorable mention honors today.

0 FBS offers for either in HS out of 1A Plainville & 4A Louisburg. They earned it the hard way. Believe in yourself!

Photos @andysportscribe @KStateFB pic.twitter.com/0GccAV2R7K

— Sports in Kansas (@sportsinkansas) December 1, 2022

Austin Moore	2020	2021	2022
Total Tackles	4	18	82
Solo Tackles	3	12	55
Assisted Tackles	1	6	27
Sacks	0	0	1.5
Forced Fumbles	0	0	2
Fumble Recovery	0	0	0

S #1 Josh Hayes, S #2 Kobe Savage, S #21 Drake Cheatum

• Josh Hayes is a two-star Safety from Lakeland, Florida. Senior
• Kobe Savage is a three-star Safety from Paris, Texas. Junior
• Drake Cheatum is a Safety from Mesquite, Texas. Senior

I am listing three of Kansas State's safeties. The reason for this is they all receive heavy playing time and have all been an important part of this defense especially tackles in the open field. They have also been really good at deflecting passes and getting the interceptions. They have been a dangerous trio, so TCU needs to be aware of them in the secondary, so they don't get the game-changing turnovers.

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