Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
We don’t have a photo of Evan Loomis in action, but brother Jared was also a linebacker for the Wildcats and is pictured here forcing a fumble in 2011 during kickoff against Baylor in the game K-State eventually won 36-35.
As we march on in our countdown to kick-off against North Dakota State University, we hit t-43 days with a preview of #43 Evan Loomis. Loomis, a redshirt junior, followed closely in his brother’s footsteps. Both attended Dodge City Community College before transferring to K-State – although Jared was always a defensive player while Evan played on offense for the Conquistadors. Jared played in 12 games last season and recorded seven tackles before graduating this spring.
With one Loomis left on the roster, Evan will attempt to bring some of the same contributions to the field his older brother did. He found success at the JUCO level as a pass-catcher, and was big enough to split time between receiver and tight end. His second year at Dodge City he was an honorable mention All-Jayhawk Conference player at the TE position, as he caught 37 passes for 465 yards and a touchdown while also rushing nine times for 54 yards and contributing six special teams tackles.
Evan’s jack-of-all trades ability and attitude made him a perfect fit for K-State, the problem was determining where. So his first year on campus he agreed to redshirt and learn the linebacker position. K-State has been successful transforming offensive players into linebackers in the past (Justin Tuggle was the #1 dual-threat JUCO quarterback before converting to the position for the Wildcats).
It remains to be seen whether Loomis has the athletic ability to be a difference maker at the next level and did not record any statistics during the Spring Game. At 6’2″ and only 216 pounds, he’s on the light side for the position which is why tight end was a more natural fit at the community college level. However, he was used extensively on special teams for his ability to scoot down the field and make tackles, and could be a solid special teamer over the next two years.
To work backward into the countdown, visit day 44, where we preview the year for my favorite defensive end Ryan Mueller.