Kansas State football’s Keenan Garber on comfort level at cornerback
Kansas State football senior Keenan Garber has settled in at cornerback after making the switch from wide receiver in 2022.
Ever since Kansas State football’s defense expanded its secondary to combat the prolific passing attacks in the Big 12, establishing depth on the back end has been a constant challenge.
That may no longer be the case for the Wildcats, who finally are stockpiling enough talent at both cornerback and the three safety positions to get the job done.
Coming out of spring practice in April, head coach Chris Klieman said that the number of options at safety provided the most pleasant surprise of all. And last week during Big 12 media days, he threw the cornerbacks into that category as well.
“In the secondary we’ve got both of our (starting) corners back in Keenan Garber and Jacob Parrish, really good players,” he said. “Then all of our safeties return.”
Here is a look at who returns in the Wildcat secondary in 2024, plus a breakdown of the cornerback and safety positions.
Related: Kansas State football suddenly has depth, experience on defensive line for 2024
The Wildcats boast experience at all five positions
Parrish, a junior, started every game at one corner last year. Garber, a converted wide receiver, became a regular part of the rotation and made four starts and the Pop-Tarts Bowl after Will Lee entered the transfer portal.
At safety, two-year starter Kobe Savage was a surprise portal departure in December, but Marques Sigle and VJ Payne both are back. So is Colby McCalister, who stepped in for Savage at Jack safety in the bowl game.
Several other veterans return, along with some promising redshirt freshmen.
Related: Projecting Kansas State football’s 2024 two-deep with spring practice around the corner
K-State has a solid foundation at cornerback
Parrish, who played in all 14 games as a true freshman in 2022, took his game to another level last season as a starter, recording 44 tackles with four interceptions and a team-high 13 passes defended.
Garber, who switched from receiver to corner for the first time at the end of 2022, continued to improve as last year went on, finishing with 22 tackles, one for a loss, with an interception and five pass breakups.
“Jacob Parrish and Kenan Garber have been exceptional, have been difference-makers,” defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman said. “As good of a duo as there will be in this league.
“And I think we feel so much better about what’s behind them right now.”
Senior Justice James, a junior college transfer who redshirted in 2022, played in 11 games last year as a backup and is poised for a bigger role this fall. Sophomore Kanijal Thomas and redshirt freshman Donovan McIntosh also should see playing time.
Related: Kansas State football transfer Jordan Riley adds a veteran presence to Wildcat secondary
Safety has unfolded as an area of strength
Super-senior Sigle stepped right into the lineup at free safety last year and should be one of the league’s best this season. Payne started every game as a sophomore, switching from Jack to strong safety early in the season.
“Marques Sigle has been as good as anybody in the country,” said Klanderman, who coaches the safeties in addition to his coordinator duties.
Both Payne and McCalister, his likely backup at strong safety, missed the spring while recovering from injuries but should be good to go by fall. Sigle tied for the team lead with 63 tackles and Payne was not far behind with 57, and each had one interception.
The Jack safety position could be the most competitive, with Ball State transfer Jordan Riley battling redshirt freshman Jack Fabris, who played in four games last year, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Redshirt freshmen Wesley Fair and Mikey Bergeron also could fit into the mix at one of the safety spots, as could sophomores Daniel Cobbs and Jet Dineen.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
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Kansas State football’s Keenan Garber on comfort level at cornerback Kansas State football senior Keenan Garber has settled in at cornerback after making the switch from wide receiver in 2022. Ever since Kansas State football’s defense expanded its secondary to combat the prolific passing attacks in the Big 12, establishing depth on the back end …
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