Breaking Down Kansas State Football's Biggest Losses and Their Replacements

The Kansas State Wildcats have some big holes to fill this summer after losing some of the biggest players from their 2012 team that won the Big 12. 

Perhaps most notably is the departure of two-year starter and Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein, who is trying to get signed in the NFL as a QB. 

Other notable players the Wildcats will have to replace this offseason include Chris Harper, Arthur Brown, Braden Wilson and Anthony Cantele. 

QB Collin Klein

His Replacement: QB Daniel Sams or QB Jake Waters

Collin Klein was Mr. Everything for the Wildcats the past two years, which is why his departure is the biggest hole Bill Snyder has to fill. 

In 2012, Klein accounted for 39 total touchdowns and 3,561 total yards.

This summer, the battle to replace Klein is being undertaken by redshirt sophomore QB Daniel Sams and junior-college transfer QB Jake Waters. Sams saw time in mostly mop-up duties last season, while Waters broke a lot of Cam Newton's junior-college passing records last season. 

Both players looked impressive at Kansas State's spring game as well. Daniel Sams was 20-of-31 passing for 413 yards, while Waters was 16-of-22 for 257. 

The race appears to be even heading into the summer, but both players appear ready to take over for the departed Klein. 

WR Chris Harper

His Replacement: WR Torell Miller 

One of Collin Klein's favorite targets the past two seasons was Chris Harper, who hauled in 123 catches for 1,734 yards during his career in Manhattan. 

The senior was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks this April in the fourth round. 

While WRs Tyler Lockett and Tramaine Thompson will likely step up as the top two options at receiver for the Wildcats, the two have already started for Kansas State. 

Torell Miller will likely be the receiver who gets the most starting time to fill Harper's void. 

Miller provides some height at the receiver position, which Snyder is lacking in Lockett and Thompson. While Lockett and Thompson are 5'11" and 5'8" respectively, Miller stands at 6'2". 

Miller also hauled in five grabs for 108 yards and two scores in Kansas State's spring game. 

LB Arthur Brown

His Replacement: Blake Slaughter

Defensively, the Wildcats were anchored by Arthur Brown the past two years. 

The second-round selection for the Baltimore Ravens in this year's draft had 100 tackles in 2012 and also pulled down two interceptions. Brown was the first person in the country to intercept former WVU QB Geno Smith, and that was seven games into the season. 

One of Brown's replacements on a linebacking corps that was one of the conference's best last year will be Blake Slaughter. 

Slaughter looked impressive in the spring game, with a team-high 8.5 tackles, including one for a loss. 

While replacing Brown is no easy task, other returning linebackers, including Tre Walker and Jonathan Truman, should provide some depth at the position. 

FB Braden Wilson

His Replacement: Glenn Gronkowski

One of the most underrated players for the past two season in Manhattan was fullback Braden Wilson. 

In Bill Snyder's scheme, which, over the past two seasons, was extremely run-heavy with Collin Klein and RB John Hubert, the lead blocker more times than not was often Wilson. 

Because of his ability, Wilson was rewarded by being drafted in the sixth round by the Kansas City Chiefs. 

However, one of the most popular families in football is providing Wilson's replacement. 

Glenn Gronkowski, a little brother of Rob Grownkowski, the New England Patriots tight end, is projected to start this season. 

Gronk looked good in the spring game, accounting for 35 total yards and a score. He also looked good blocking for the new quarterbacks. 

K Anthony Cantele

His Replacement: Jack Cantele

Kicker Anthony Cantele was a model of consistency for the special teams unit in Manhattan, something that Bill Snyder pays a unique amount of attention to. 

In 2012, he was perfect on all 64 of his PATs and 19-of-23 on field goals. 

While Anthony Cantele won't be in the Little Apple anymore, his little brother Jack is expected to replace him. 

In the spring game, the younger Cantele looked good, going 2-of-2 on field goals that included a 51-yarder. He also looked good on kickoffs, often booting the ball right to the goal line.