Kansas State football already had one of the steadiest and most powerful running backs in the Big 12 last year in DJ Giddens.
Now the Wildcats have a bolt of lightning to go with the thunder.
The addition of Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards, not to mention quarterback Avery Johnson’s speed, should make one of the nation’s top running attacks even better in 2024. That is quite a prospect, considering the Wildcats ranked 11th nationally last year when they averaged 204 yards per game on the ground with 32 rushing touchdowns.
The biggest question this year is whether there will be enough carries to go around between Giddens and Edwards. But a look at last season, when backup Treshaun Ward — he has since transferred to Boston College — had over 100 attempts for 600-plus yards suggests that there will be more than enough touches to go around.
“We have just surrounded (Giddens) now with some more talent so that we don’t maybe have to rely on him as much,” K-State coach Chris Klieman said Tuesday during Big 12 media day in Las Vegas.
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Klieman also hinted that it won’t always be either/or with Giddens and Edwards, that there will be occasions where both line up in the backfield at the same time. Klieman also said he would like to see the Wildcats take a step forward in the passing game, but the rushing attack clearly is their bread and butter until proven otherwise.
Here is a look at what Giddens, Edwards and even a few other prospects bring to K-State’s backfield in 2024.
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DJ Giddens has developed into a well-rounded back
Giddens gained valuable experience as a redshirt freshman in 2022 backing up All-American Deuce Vaughn, then made the position his own last year by doing a little of everything for the Wildcats.
At 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, he is the consummate power runner but showed enough speed to get to the edge as he ran for 1,226 yards and an average of 5.5 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns. He also was the Wildcats’ third-leading receiver with 29 catches for 323 yards and three more scores.
“DJ is an every-down back and I think he’s tremendously underrated in our league,” Klieman said. “DJ is just a phenomenal football player that’s a great kid. He’s great in pass protection, great out of the backfield catching the ball.
“He’s going to have a dynamite year for us.”
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Dylan Edwards adds speed element to the backfield
Klieman did not waste any time going after Edwards this spring when he decided to leave Colorado after one just season. Remember, he originally committed to K-State two years ago out of Derby High School before ending up with the Buffaloes.
The speedy 5-foot-9, 165-pound Edwards had a solid freshman year at Colorado, starting six games and rushing for 321 yards with a touchdown, plus catching 36 passes for 299 yards and three more scores. He also contributed both as a kickoff and punt returner.
“(Edwards is) probably the home run threat that we were missing, whether it’s in the backfield, out of the backfield, in the return game,” Klieman said. “I’m excited for Dylan because he gets to come back home because K-State is home for him.
“He and Avery (Johnson) have known each other since they were kids and he’ll really elevate our offense.”
Joe Jackson and other young backs waiting in the wings
Before Edwards came on board, redshirt freshman Joe Jackson was emerging as Giddens’ top backup in the spring.
Jackson retained his redshirt after appearing in just two games last year, and even as the No. 3 back could fit into the rotation.
Klieman also liked what he saw in the spring from junior La’James White, who played in six games last year. Another back to watch is true freshman DeVon Rice, who got a jump on his rookie season by enrolling last winter and going through spring practice.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards elevate Kansas State football backfield
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