Daymond Patterson, Tramaine Thompson Lead Receivers for Kansas, Kansas State

A competition between Kansas and Kansas State wide receivers would be a very interesting one. 

I wanted to rank the state’s top collegiate receivers one-by-one, but after Kansas’ Daymond Patterson (Sr.) the race gets way too thick and unpredictable.  

When pinned against one another, the too corps look extremely competitive.

Kansas 

 At the moment, Kansas beyond Patterson consists of a transitioning quarterback (Kale Pick, rJr.), a receiver who has more carries than catches (D.J. Beshears, Jr.) and a slew of unproven youths.

Redshirt sophomores Christian Matthews, Erick McGriff and Chris Omigie have a little game experience. Redshirt freshmen Brian Muara, Andrew Turzilli and Ricki Herod Jr. have even less to offer. 

It's hard to pick which guys will separate themselves; they bring very similar tools to the table.  

Height (ranging from Matthews at nearly 6'2" to Omigie at nearly 6'5") and athleticism headline this Mangino-esque group of receivers. 

I still expect the most from Omigie, but we can only wait and see. 

These are just the guys already on the roster.  True freshmen Jacorey Sheppard, Marquis Jackson and Anthony Pierson have a lot in common with Patterson, Beshears and now-safety Bradley McDougald (Pierson being a runningback who could play a Beshears-like role). 

All three are more than talented enough to contribute immediately.

Kansas State 

 If the Hawks have the top guy, the Cats have the next three. 

Little guys like Deon Butler and Brandon Banks proved that the diminutive Tramaine Thompson (rSo.) can be the biggest receiver in this system. 

Redshirt juniors Chris Harper and Brodrick Smith bring an invaluable, well-rounded brand of receiving to the edges.

Beyond those three, things get more interesting.  As said in a previous article, it might be best for Kansas State if Justin Tuggle definitively wins the quarterback job.  

Fellow quarterback competitor Collin Klein looks like the perfect receiving complement to Thompson, but his performance as a quarterback understandably has precedence. 

True Freshmen Jade Cathey, Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton and athletes Destin Mosley and Daniel Sams will all get a good, early look at receiver, too.

I can't wait to see where Mosley and Sams (also competing for reps at quarterback) ultimately wind up playing.

The Verdict

I’ll give Kansas the ever-so-slight edge at receiver.  The Jayhawks have more depth, equal experience and the better No. 1 receiver. 

Regardless, both teams have plenty of work to do at the position.