There were no last minute surprises for the Kansas State Wildcats during 2012's version of National Signing Day, but that may bode well for the stability that head coach BIll Snyder is bringing back to Kansas State University in his second stint with the Wildcats. He built the program from the ground up the first time, and if last year was any indication, Snyder is well on his way to restoring the roar in Lawrence.
Kansas State has never been known to have heralded classes that many of the other programs in the Big 12 have, but Snyder certainly knows how to infuse junior college talent with the high school recruits they bring in, to build a tough football program.
According the Rivals.com, this latest group of recruits ranks seventh in the Big 12 in terms of talent, which is the highest finish for the Wildcats since the 2008 group was picked fourth. Each the last three classes ranked last in the Big 12 in terms of talent projections, but as we witnessed on the field in 2011, the most talented team on paper doesn't always translate to victories on the football field.
That 2008 recruiting class included junior college transfers Brandon Banks and Daniel Thomas who have graduated to the NFL, and a three-star quarterback from Loveland, Colorado by the name of Collin Klein.
In addition to the 19 recruits who inked with the purple on Wednesday, the Wildcats also have an abundance of recruits from 2011 who greyshirted last year and count towards this recruiting class.
Among them are five three-star recruits. They are athlete Dante Barnett, defensive back Morgan Burns, defensive tackle Lamonte Clark, defensive end Hunter Davis, and defensive tackle Samuel Harvill.
With Barnett likely to figure into the mold at defensive back, that is five additional players who will all help out on the defensive side of the ball.
Also of note, the Wildcats will have Glenn Gronkowski, a 6'3" 210 lb fulllback on the roster. That last name should certainly ring a bell as brothers Dan Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski, and Chris Gronkowski all currently play in the NFL. Brother Brodie didn't so bad either, as he played in the Los Angeles Angels' minor league organization. Gronkowski may have been lightly recruited coming out of high school as a 195 lb wide receiver from Amherst, New York. However 15 lbs later and with a great bloodline, Gronkowski is a name to watch in the future.
As for the class as a whole, I look for Marquez Clark to put up numbers immediately for the Wildcats at wide receiver next season. As with most junior college transfers, he is more seasoned for the adjustment to Big 12 football.
Elwood Clement and Tavon Rooks look the part as they will help provide a boost to the offensive line. With both being junior college transfers, again they will likely be seeing the field sooner rather than later.
Overall a solid class for the Wildcats, a class that will provide a lot of depth on the line, on both sides of the ball. For more continued K-State recruiting news and notes, make sure to head on over to Bring On The Cats, SB Nation's home for all things Kansas State.