Nine Days To K-State Football: Triple Player Preview
By Dave Thoman
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
This is it folks, we’ve hit single digits. There are just nine days left between this post going up on the internet, and kick-off against North Dakota State. There are actually three players listed on the spring roster with the #9 jersey, and we’ll be giving you a peak at all three in our tireless campaign to get you, the reader, as prepared as humanly possible for the upcoming season. So let’s get started with our tri-player preview of Evan Loomis, Mitch Lochbihler, and Vernon Vaughn.
Evan Loomis
Loomis is a 6’2″, 215 pound redshirt junior making the transition from wide receiver to linebacker. He’s a native of Macksville, Kansas, where he starred for the Mustangs’ 8-Man, Division I program for three years. 8-Man football is a speed game, and he brought it his senior year with 32 catches for 429 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he really racked up the statistics on defense where he had 116 tackles to go along with five interceptions. He was a damn fine student too, graduating with a flawless GPA and as class valedictorian.
Loomis was recruited to play wide receiver at Dodge City Community College, and he played both receiver and tight end. His production was limited as a freshman, with just three catches, although he did play in every game. His sophomore year he had 37 catches for 465 yards and a touchdown while also being featured extensively on special teams with six tackles. He also had nine rushes for 54 yards in 2011.
Loomis redshirted after coming to K-State, utilizing the 2012 season to prepare for playing defense again. Few programs have been more successful at converting offensive players into linebackers, and Loomis already brings some experience as a defender. He’s also versatile (he took a fake punt 31 yards his freshman year), and should be capable of filling any role he’s asked to. Additionally, he’s the younger brother of Jared Loomis, who also played linebacker for the Wildcats and beasted on special teams. Look for younger brother to do the same.