Has Kansas State's Darien Whitaker Found A Home At Edge?
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Oftentimes, football players don't find their real position until they reach college.
The Kansas State Wildcats are hoping that's the case for sophomore Darien Walker Jr. In high school, he was rated as the 60th-best linebacker in the country. That's the position he played his first year in Manhattan. He only had limited playing time, so the Wildcats are making a switch.
He was moved to defensive end and is listed at No. 2 on the depth chart. First-year coach Collin Klein explained the decision for the move earlier this week during his weekly press conference.
He said it had a lot to do with the Wildcats existing depth at linebacker and felt Whitaker could have a bigger impact on the defensive line.
"I think the versatility," Klein said. "And even how some of the linebacker situation and how that worked out too, and some of the good jobs that Gabe Powers, Rex Van Wyhe, Asa (Newson) and Mekhi (Mason), what they did and how that kind of came together to be able to get guys positioned right to help us right now. I think it was really a good thing for us."
It is unknown how much playing time Whitaker will receive this season, especially with the defensive line being among the best units on the roster. The Wildcats' group consists of Wendell Gregory and Jordan Allen, who are both projected among the best in the Big 12.
Still, expect Whitaker to get his opportunity. K-State opens the season Saturday against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It is expected to be a lopsided victory for the Wildcats, which means plenty of young and inexperienced players should get some playing time.
It could be a moment for Whitaker to impress the coaching staff enough to warrant more snaps as the season progresses. That would be the ideal scenario for Whitaker and the Wildcats.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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