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It’s another day, and another step in our continuing march to the August 30th showdown against North Dakota State University to kick off the 2013 football season. With 65 days left in the countdown, today’s spotlight hovers on OL Matt Kleinsorge, a redshirt sophomore from Olathe South who came to Manhattan with preferred walk-on status.
While Bill Snyder was not able to provide Kleinsorge a scholarship his redshirt season, he was promised a spot on the team due to his potential once he became eligible. A concussion sidelined him most of his senior year, limiting his collegiate prospects as there was little body of work for recruiters to examine. He was a three-year letter winner in high school, helping his team to a league and district championship his senior year. His sophomore year Kleinsorge was named the high school’s basketball team MVP.
Kleinsborge is a high character player, and was recognized in high school for extensive community service participation. In addition to earning his Eagle Scout award, he was a Wendy’s Heisman Award and Discuss Award winner – both serving to recognize prominent volunteer leaders in the prep ranks. He also ran a lawncare business starting as a fifth grader through high school.
Kleinsborge will face an uphill battle to see much playing time this year with beasts like Cornelius Lucas and Tavon Rooks set to guard whoever gets the starting nod at quarterback. However, as has been previously pointed out, K-State’s starting center B.J. Finney came to Manhattan as a walk-on and is now among the best centers in the nation. The most likely course for Kleinsborge will be to continue developing behind these players and compete for a starting position when he returns for his junior year in 2014.
To read more about B.J. Finney in our 66th countdown day, click here.