Ahead of the Wildcats’ Saturday matchup against the UT Martin Skyhawks, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson spoke to members of the media.
When asked which teammate wasn’t being discussed nearly enough, the Kansas native pointed to junior running back DJ Giddens, another native of the Sunflower State.
Johnson spoke about Giddens with glowing remarks, saying, “He’s one of the best, if not the best, running backs in all of college football.”
Giddens is one of many incredible running backs in the Big 12, and as a sophomore in 2023, Giddens was a workhorse for the Wildcats offense. The Junction City, Kansas native notched 223 carries for 1,226 yards and ten scores, all while averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry.
In addition to his numbers in the ground game, the 6-foot-1, 212-pound back proved to be a big help in the passing game. Giddens snagged 28 catches for 286 yards and two touchdowns, including the first score of the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, known as the debut start for Avery Johnson.
Giddens’ rise to stardom is yet another impressive tally in the scouting department for Kansas State, as he held zero Power Five offers coming out of High School in the Class of 2021. Giddens joins players like Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Ben Sinnott, Cooper Beebe, Deuce Vaughn, and more as players to have a tremendous impact on Kansas State despite being underrecruited in high school.
While Giddens should record the bulk of the Wildcats’ carries in 2024, K-State’s running back room added a new name capable of making some serious plays. Chris Klieman and the Wildcats earned a huge commitment through the transfer portal with former Colorado running back Dylan Edwards.
Giddens, Edwards, and Johnson will have an opportunity to live up to their preseason hype when the season kicks off against UT Martin on Saturday, August 31st.
