2010 SPRING FOOTBALL PROSPECTUS
PRIZELL BROWN
E. LAMUR
JOSH CHERRY
Preview
RYAN DOERR
Secondary The Wildcat secondary returns three starters from an improved unit in 2009, including senior safety Troy Butler and junior safeties Emmanuel Lamur and Tysyn Hartman. The trio will look to build on a strong 2009 seasons and provide leadership from the back of the K-State defense. Butler ranked sixth on the squad in total tackles with 46, including five tackles for loss. He also added two pass breakups and a fumble recovery to his final stat line. Hartman, who earned All-Big 12 honors both on the field and in the classrooom, had 54 total tackles and five interceptions to rank fourth on the team in total tackles in 2009. His five interceptions were tied for fourth in the Big 12 last season and were the most by a Wildcat since James McGill pulled in six during the 2003 season. Lamur had a great debut season in 2009 and was the Wildcats’ total tackle leader with 68 on the year. He also had three interceptions and led the team with two blocked kicks, including a game-winning blocked extra point against Iowa State at the game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wildcats will also look towards sophomores Thomas Ferguson and Roman Fields during spring practice for added depth. Other players who look to gain starting spots include senior Terrance Sweeney and juniors Logan Dold and David Garrett. Garrett started four games at one of the corner spots a year ago, while Sweeney and Dold each saw time in a reserve role.
Specialists K-State returns several key members from last year’s special teams units, including senior kicker Josh Cherry and senior long snapper Corey Adams in an area that looks to see continued improvement and success in 2010. Cherry has a strong hold on place kicking duties after he finished the Big 12 campaign ranked third in league contest for made field goals with 11. After a rough start to the 2009 season, Cherry connected on 12 of his last 15 attempts. Looking to challenge Cherry for place kicking duties and provide depth will be sophomores Anthony Cantele and Brandon Klimek. Sophomore Ryan Doerr returns as K-State’s punter in 2010 after finishing the season with an average punt of 41.2 yards, ranking 7th in the Big 12 in this area. Senior D.J. Fulhage punted 16 times a year ago and served as a short-yardage punt specialist. He downed opponents inside their 20-yard line 11 times, while 14 of his 16 punts were not returned. Senior George Pierson also looks to offer some help in the punting game. At the long-snapper position, Adams returns for his final year in a Wildcat uniform as he looks to continue his dominance as one of the nation’s best players at that position. An All-America candidate, Adams has been perfect on a total of 356 combined snaps during his three-year career. The Wildcats will need to replace All-American Brandon Banks in the return game, but several options are available and should allow the Cats to continue its special teams dominance. Daniel Thomas, Hartman, Hubert and Tramaine Thompson are all capable returners for both punts and kickoffs with Thompson possessing the best track speed of the group. Hartman was solid on punt returns last season, averaging 13.1 yards per return.
TYSYN HARTMAN ALL-BIG 12 SAFETY ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12
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