It's about that time of year when people start to gearing up for college football with preseason award watch lists being announced and four Kansas State Wildcats have made the early watch lists for the upcoming college football season.
One of Kansas State's prime playmakers and leaders, senior quarterback Colin Klein is one of 65 players on the watch list for the 76th annual Maxwell award, which goes to the top collegiate football player. Klein helped lead the Wildcats to a 10-2 record last year and a spot in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. He also set a Big 12 and FBS quarterback record with 27 rushing touchdowns last year. He tallied 1,141 rushing yards, 1,918 passing yards and 13 touchdowns, on his way to All-American honors. Klein becomes only the third Wildcat to ever be nominated for the award, as in 2004 Darren Sproles was nominated for the award and quarterback, Michael Bishop was a finalist in 1998.
Klein's, young sophomore center, BJ Finney, also finds himself on a preseason watch list as he is one of 51 players nominated for the Rimington award, which goes to the nation's best center. Finney started all 13 games for the Wildcats last season as a redshirt freshman, including starting 12 of them at the center position helping the Wildcats have a potent rushing attack that averaged nearly 200 ypg.
Joining Klein and Finney on the preseason award watch lists is two gentlemen that play on the opposite side of the ball at the defensive back positions. Cornerback, Nigel Malone and Safety, Arthur Brown both are nominated for the Bednarik award which goes to the nation's top collegiate defensive player. Brown was a semifinalist for this very award last season.
Semifinalists for the awards will be announced in late October.
Kansas State opens up the college football season on September 1st at home against Missouri State.
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