Kansas State Football: Piecing Together The Offensive Line – Tackles

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Alexander McPherson (98) rushes against Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman John Pastore (78) in the first quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Colorado Buffaloes and Kansas State Wildcats on November 29, 2025 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It was nice to talk to y’all about something other than the abomination that is Kansas State basketball and the current state of college athletics. Sometimes staring at the tree directly in front of you keeps you from fearing the roaring forest fire in the distance. Today I’m staring at the Kansas State offensive line, more specifically, the tackles. The forest is still on fire; I can smell the smoke, but the tree I’m looking at looks OK for now. After spending seven years in College Station, any tree, no matter how impermanent, is a welcome sight.

As many of you pointed out (I’m trying to limit myself to a single y’all, not counting that one), wide receivers don’t matter much if your quarterback is trying to deliver the ball from underneath a defensive end. Sacks weren’t a problem for the Wildcats last season. They were excellent, on paper, at keeping Avery upright in the pocket. Kansas State finished 10th in the nation in sacks allowed. I watched every game, and that shock surprised me. It felt like Avery spent a good bit of time running for his life, and maybe the sack total had more to do with having an elite athlete at quarterback?

It’s a long offseason, so I’m going to break the offensive line down to its individual parts and talk about the tackles today. First, let’s take a look at who Texas A&M featured at offensive tackle last season.

Texas A&M Tackles – 2025

Left Tackle

Trey Zuhn III – 6’6” – 320 – Graduate Student

Snaps: 776

Run Block PFF Grade: 60

Pass Block PFF Grade: 97

Right Tackle

Dametrious Crownover 6’7” – 336 – Graduate Student

Snaps: 784

Run Block PFF Grade: 72

Pass Block PFF Grade: 58

Thoughts

I like how Coach Klein manages his offensive line. At A&M, Zuhn was a rock on the back side in pass protection, but left something to be desired in the run game. Crownover was a solid run blocker but could struggle in pass protection. Zuhn was more mobile than Crownover, and Crownover was more of a mauler than Zuhn.

Texas A&M’s featured back, Reuben Owens, gained the majority of his yards off the right side, either between the center and guard (A) gap, or between the guard and tackle (B) gap. Those tend to be power runs that utilize Crownover’s ability as a mauler on the right side. When Texas A&M ran left, they tended to run all the way outside, letting Zuhn’s athleticism lead the way in space. Klein helped Crownover in pass sets by deploying an extra tight end to the right side or having one of his two backs chip the right end.

In summary, they had an athletic guy on the backside who was an elite pass blocker and mauler on the right side. He helped the mauler in the pass game and played to the pass blockers’ strengths in the run game. Playing to strengths and working around weaknesses is how Coach Klein will need to operate in Manhattan as well. The interior of the line is a bit of a mess, but the tackle situation looks fairly stable.

Kansas State Tackles – 2026

Tackle

John Pastore – 6’6”, 300 – Sr.

Snaps: 715

Run Block PFF Grade: 74.6

Pass Block PFF Grade: 68.3

Tackle

Gus Hawkins – 6’7”, 315 – So.

Snaps: 123

Run Block PFF Grade: 56

Pass Block PFF Grade: 71.5

Thoughts

You’ll notice I didn’t assign either of these guys a side. The most likely scenario is John Pastore, holding down the left side. He was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team (Coaches). Why mess with success? Again, the most likely scenario is they don’t, but I could see a world where Pastore moves to right tackle to better facilitate Gus Hawkins talent.

Pastore is going to start at one of the two spots, but the other tackle spots could be more up in the air. Hawkins is the obvious choice. He’s the only returner with experience under his belt, and was considered a 4* recruit and the best player in the state of Kansas in 2024. My new measuring stick is: if the team landed this guy in the portal, would you be excited?

I’d be excited about Hawkins.

My only question is fit. He’s the type of long, athletic tackle that NFL teams crave on the left side of the line. Meanwhile, Pastore has a more balanced skill set. It’s possible Coach Klein flips them with Hawkins holding down the left side and Pastore moving to the right, putting his best pass blocker on the back side and his best run blocker on the right.

Other Possibilities

Left Tackle

George Fitzpatrick – 6’6” – 294 – Sr.

2024 Stats

Snaps: 84

Run Block PFF Grade: 67.9

Pass Block PFF Grade: 83.5

Thoughts

Fitzpatrick, a 2025 Ohio State transfer, was slated to start last season before a medical emergency took him out of action before the start of the season. Out of everyone on the roster, he’s probably closest to Trey Zuhn III. He was going to be the left tackle last season. If he’s good to go, he may win that job in camp again this season. I don’t think he’s what the coaching staff is looking for on the right side, because he’s more of a technician/athlete than a mauler. As I mentioned above, I could see Pastore moving over to the right side. If Pastore has an interest in the NFL, I don’t think he’s a left tackle at the next level. Moving him right could give him a head start and provide the flexibility NFL GMs covet in linemen. “Swing” tackles are like playing the pedal steel. If you can do it at a competent level, you can always find work.

Right Tackle

Charlie Adams – 6’2” – 319 – Jr.

2025 Stats @ Cal Poly

Snaps: 505

Run Block PFF Grade: 63.8

Pass Block PFF Grade: 76.5

Thoughts

Offensive line coach Mike Schmidt brought Charlie Adams to Manhattan, I’m assuming, because he was interested in the Cal Poly product for his San Diego State offensive line. If you trust PFF’s grades on a Cal Poly lineman (remember, these are somewhat subjective grades), he’s built like a guard, but blocks like a tackle. He played at right tackle at Cal Poly and could hold up at right tackle in this scheme. I think he’s going to be more of a depth piece of a guard, but he’ll get a shot to show what he’s got in camp. Stranger things have happened.

Outlook

Keeping John Pastore was important. Second Team All-Big 12 left tackles aren’t cheap these days. Last season, Carver Willis bailed for Washington. In retrospect, it would have been cheaper to keep him than bring in three guys to try to replace him. One of the tackle spots is claimed; it’s just a question of which tackle spot. The most likely move is that Coach Klein keeps his Second Team All-Big 12 left tackle at left tackle, and it’s a battle for the right tackle spot. The only way that changes is if George Fitzpatrick comes back and is elite in pass protection, or if Gus Hawkins, the NFL prototype left tackle on the roster, is ready.

This group is in better shape than it was last season. It doesn’t have to rely on a transfer, with Pastore and Hawkins returning from last season and Fitzpatrick returning from his medical issue. I’m confident there are two starting-caliber tackles in that group; there may be three, which would open up some interesting options in the run game. It also insulates the team from an injury derailing the entire season.

I was prepared to be pessimistic, but, in terms of the tackle position, I’d put the Wildcats in the top quarter of teams because of Pastore alone. If either Hawkins or Fitzpatrick steps up and solidifies the other tackle spot, this could be a top 20 group. Of course, the interior of the line will play a major role in how these guys play. I’ll get to them next week.

For now, enjoy a little good news.