Big 12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomer
By Dante Pryor
![Dec 7, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) holds up the most outstanding player trophy after the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Dec 7, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) holds up the most outstanding player trophy after the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2019 Big 12 Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/3340345990d65465455a8663cb7e5a76bb580336dd622503c87e1b3bc942dec9.jpg)
6. Kansas State Wildcats
Under head coach Chris Klieman, the Kansas State Wildcats are trying to build their roster in year two. The first place Klieman should start is quarterback. Will Howard returns, but he was not great splitting time with Skylar Thompson.
Jake Rubley is the second-highest rated quarterback recruit in Kansas State history and looks to challenge Howard for QB1 this fall. Any coach building a program knows the importance of finding a great quarterback as soon as possible. Unfortunately, despite the heavy veteran presence in the quarterback room, none have Rubley’s upside.
Klieman and the offensive staff could decide to redshirt Rubley and allow him to compete for the starting job next season. However, if Rubley is impressive this summer, give him the ball and let him play as a true freshman.
When you are a program like Kansas State, you don’t get players like Rubley on campus that often. Josh Freeman is the only other KSU quarterback as highly-touted as Rubley. As a true freshman, Rubley has the size and the arm.
If Rubley shows any traits of elevating the Wildcats’ mediocre offensive talent, he has to play this season.