Jake Waters Brings Dangerous Dynamic to Kansas State Offense
By Jack Crosby
Jan. 3, 2013; Glendale, AZ, USA: Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder against the Oregon Ducks during the 2013 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Oregon defeated Kansas State 35-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Snyder has built an everlasting legacy at Kansas State by molding some diamonds in the rough into some of the best players in the country, thus creating top contending teams consistently. But for all of the reloading successes he’s produced, he’s never had to face the unenviable task of replacing a Heisman finalist quarterback like he had with Collin Klein.
Finding Klein’s replacement has been a battle that has lasted throughout the entire summer between JUCO transfer Jake Waters and sophomore Daniel Sams. That battle ended earlier today–with four days left until their season begins against North Dakota State–with Snyder tabbing Waters as the man to take the reins of the offense.
For a little background on Waters, he’s an incoming transfer from Iowa Western Community College, where he had a pretty solid season last year. Okay, I’m completely putting that lightly. Waters was unquestionably the best JUCO QB in the country last year, throwing for 3,501 yards and 39 touchdowns. He would eventually end up leading that Iowa Western team to a national championship, and then committing to K-State shortly thereafter.
As I searched for the differences between he and Klein, it was proven to me that Jake Waters is going to bring an entirely different dynamic to this offense than has been seen in recent years–and not in a bad way.
Three things immediately stand out to me that lead me to believe this offense will be just fine in the hands of this talented signal caller.
1) Pocket Presence
There are times throughout the highlights where Waters looks as if he was more than ready for a move to the NFL rather than to a BCS level college. He stands tall in the pocket, is aware of everything the defense is doing around him and is incredible in making his reads down the field. He makes all the necessary checkdowns without a hitch and gets the ball to the right receiver in the appropriate situation. We all loved watching Collin Klein and the fireworks he brought to the game, but no one was exactly going to mistake him for the next John Elway. Jake Waters is a pure, natural-born passer that Bill Snyder should be able to do a lot with.
2) Minimal Drop-Off in Run Production
In four years, Collin Klein rushed for 2,455 yards and 55 touchdowns. 2,031 of those came in the last two seasons. Is Waters going to come close to replicating this? Probably not. But don’t fall under the assumption that he’s a statue back there. The 6-1, 210-pounder is mobile just enough where Snyder can also design some runs out of that spread system for his new QB and he’ll be able to execute them. But obviously, his mobility will come into play when the pocket collapses around him. The majority of his rushing yards will more than likely come from when he HAS to take off rather than when he’s asked to. But the fact still remains that he has enough athleticism to so some of the things that were asked of Klein.
3) Mechanics
I understand that this is a pretty fundamental concept, but it’s still something that jumped out of the screen at me. As I alluded to when I was talking about the pocket presence, it felt more as if I was watching a pro prospect as opposed to someone that is going to be starting his first big-time collegiate game this week. His footwork is near flawless, he holds that ball at a safe point right under the chin and has an incredibly quick release. But the most important thing about Waters’ mechanics is that they don’t become awry when everything breaks down. When he rolls out of the pocket, everything is still intact. I’ve seen, and evaluated, NFL prospects that couldn’t mimic some of the traits this kid possesses.
Bill Snyder has a dangerous toy to play with here in the form of Jake Waters. While there are a lot of people writing off the Wildcats simply citing the fact that Klein isn’t there anymore, that might not exactly be the case. Those same people may end up being the same ones that are jumping on the Jake Waters bandwagon come around November after this transfer prospect has taken the Big 12 by storm .
I will be welcoming them all as I’m anointing myself that captain of that bandwagon. The old man has sold me again.
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Jack is a Staff Writer for Saturday Blitz. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14CFB