How Kansas State football is recruiting the state's top 2023 high school prospects

Brandon Clark has been around Kansas high school football long enough, both as a player and coach, to gain some insight into college recruiting.

So when he says that Kansas State's coaching staff is crushing it with homegrown talent in the Class of 2023, he speaks from experience. Not only was he recruited by K-State as a high school standout at Valley Center in the late 1990s, but now as the head coach at Class 6A powerhouse Derby High School, he sees it through a different lens.

More:How Kansas State football coaches won heated recruiting battle for running back Dylan Edwards

"They're just plucking them this year," Clark said Thursday, right after his star running back Dylan Edwards held a news conference to announce his commitment to the Wildcats. "They're getting all the good Kansas players, which is awesome."

Indeed, Edwards was K-State's fifth pledge from Kansas in the 2023 cycle, and all of them are consensus top-10 in-state prospects. While Edwards was the one with the highest profile so far, the Wildcats also have their sights set on Maize four-star quarterback Avery Johnson, Lawrence Free State offensive lineman Calvin Clements and also could be in the running for Wichita Heights running back John Randle.

K-State football is winning recruiting battles with Power Five teams

More importantly, fourth-year coach Chris Klieman and his staff are winning head-to-head battles with Power Five programs from surrounding states and nationwide that too often poached the top local players in the past. And the Wildcats are doing it with one of the deepest and most talented classes in recent history.

More:Kansas State football picks up big recruiting victory with Derby's Dylan Edwards

Edwards, who had over 20 offers, chose the Wildcats over Oklahoma and Nebraska.

"This year we have a lot of talent in the state of Kansas, and looking all over the country you see these high-star recruits committing to Kansas State," said Johnson, who was on hand Thursday to support his friend Edwards. "So, I think they've definitely picked it up."

Johnson, who has been a priority target for K-State for some time, will make his announcement on July 5, presumably choosing between the Wildcats, Oregon and Washington.

Iowa State has especially been aggressive in the state of Kansas, not too long ago grabbing All-America running back Breece Hall out of Wichita. But the Cyclones have found the going much tougher this time around.

K-State already beat out Iowa State for Kapaun-Mt. Carmel tight end Will Anciaux, Wichita Collegiate safety Wesley Fair and Blue Valley wide receiver Andre Davis, all of whom had numerous other offers. The Cyclones also showed interest in offensive lineman Camden Beebe, of Kansas City Piper, who predictably decided to join older brother Cooper in Manhattan.

More:Kansas State football picks up another in-state recruiting victory in receiver Andre Davis

"I feel like K-State has done a phenomenal job (recruiting) in the Wichita area, especially with my class here," Anciaux said earlier this month during the Sharp Performance Top Prospects camp in Salina. "I feel like they've got great relationships established with a lot of different schools and trainers and communities and everything and really have their ear.

"They're looking for and watching who's coming up and all that, and I think they'll have a chance to win over even more guys."

K-State coaches Klieman, Klein and Braet credited for recruiting wins

Clark said he has been impressed with Klieman and company from the start.

"The way they did it, to me they're just a very genuine group of coaches," he said. "You've got (offensive coordinator) Collin Klein, who is one of the best individuals in the world, outside of football and inside of football.

"Coach K (Klieman) is a very humble guy (who) doesn't big-time anybody, but holds everybody accountable. And they've got coach (Taylor) Braet recruiting these kids, who is the life of the party, and you've always got to have those guys on staff. So it's a great mix."

Jake Sharp, a sports consultant and owner of Sharp Performance, works with a number of the state's top athletes, as well as both high school and college coaches through his camps and combines. He also gives the K-State staff high marks.

More:Kansas State one of three finalists as Maize QB Avery Johnson nears recruiting decision

"I think it speaks volumes for Taylor Braet, the recruiting coordinator, and I think it speaks volumes for coach Klieman for what he's building there," said Sharp, a former all-state running back at Salina Central, who went on to play for Kansas. "To get recruits like they're getting now and building those relationships, it doesn't just happen in a month.

"I think they've just put in a lot of hard work to grab those in-state guys, and I know KU did, too. KU was working very hard to try to secure some of those guys and K-State won. They got 'em."

While Lance Leipold is just starting his second year at KU, Klieman is now established in Manhattan, and that is a key, said Clark, the Derby coach. It doesn't hurt that Braet, who as recruiting coordinator often is the first point of contact, has been around for 17 years.

"They're the same guys they were when they first got here," Clark said. "But like anything, if you want to build a program, it's not going to happen overnight, and you've got to earn that trust from people. They've got to see it.

"These kids have seen it for however long coach K has been there, so they've had that relationship now, instead of just one year or two years."

Edwards cited the K-State staff's loyalty and persistence as keys in making his decision. The Wildcats kept after him even when rumors had him headed to Oklahoma or Nebraska.

And now he's all in, vowing to help K-State score some more in-state recruiting victories.

"It's just so surreal and I can't wait to recruit this class and get more Cats here to K-State," Edwards said.