Going into the 2024 season, Kansas State’s team is under some scrutiny. Not enough questions are being asked about the wide receivers’ performance, despite the fact that many are seriously doubting the offensive line’s ability to gel and the defense’s overall effectiveness.
Jayce Brown, Keagan Johnson, and Penn State transfer Dante Cephas will make up the backbone of the wide receiver corps this season. While Brown entered the season with few reps from the previous year but a fantastic bowl game performance, Cephas and Johnson had more than a year of experience.
Jayce Brown is the most interesting player among this group of wide receivers. As a young wide receiver entering the game, Brown is eager to establish himself.
Brown had his moment in the Pop-Tarts Bowl now that Ben Sinnott and Phillip Brooks had entered the NFL Draft. Brown amassed a state line of five receptions for 52 yards and one touchdown with Avery Johnson behind center. Johnson’s preferred target, Brown was the top receiver with the most receiving yards and receptions.
Given that Brown and Johnson are the same age and in the same class, Brown has maybe the closest link. They had a strong bond in the Pop-Tarts, and Brown’s wide catch radius and efficient route running will help offset Sinnott’s absence this year.
Because of his consistency in catching the ball, Sinnott was the safest option when it came to receiving receptions in 2023. Brown has a real chance to establish himself if he can take that experience to heart and develop into a receiver who, while maybe not as large as Sinnott, can nonetheless grab the ball with the same dexterity.
Though Avery Johnson is starting, K-State is showcasing its youth, and if they want to develop around Johnson for years to come, younger players would be the better option. Keagan Johnson and Dante Cephas are excellent receivers with strong experience.
During his rookie year, Brown caught 27 passes for 437 yards, averaged a ridiculous 16.2 yards per catch, and scored three touchdowns. Johnson will finally get the chance to display both his arm strength and running prowess, and Brown is a real deep danger.
Although not many people are familiar with Brown at this point in the season, many will likely be afraid of him.
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