CFB Player Movement: KC Wildcats to keep OL Beebe, four others

Roundup by Frank Cooney, NFL Draft Scout

Sep 24, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Adrian Martinez (9) celebrates with offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman has some good news to share. He told the Kansas City Star expects the Wildcats to return all five starters on the offensive line next season. That includes star left guard Cooper Beebe, who was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year following a tremendous junior campaign with the Wildcats. "We have got a bunch of our offensive linemen returning," Klieman told ESPN on Thursday while appearing on College Football Live. "I think everybody, our top eight offensive linemen, are returning. So that is a pretty good spot." Though none of K-State's veteran offensive linemen have publicly announced that they will return for another season blocking together in front of Will Howard, it seemed like a strong possibility that they would stick together.

Beebe told reporters before the Sugar Bowl that K-State's entire offensive line had discussed the possibility of "running it back" for one more year. "We definitely have been in talks," Beebe said last week. "We have sat down at dinner a couple times and talked about it. There's nothing that has been ironed out, and it's still up in the air. But we are definitely in talks. If one of us comes back I think it's an all type of deal." It appears as though that is the plan. Beebe was a candidate to declare as an early entrant for the NFL Draft along with running back Deuce Vaughn, but it looks like he has decided to remain in college for one more year.

DE Jared Verse

Florida State standout defensive end Jared Verse, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, announced Saturday he is staying for another season. After two stellar seasons at Albany in the Football Championship Subdivision, Verse was the most coveted player in the NCAA transfer portal in 2022. He landed in Tallahassee and proved he could play at the Power Five level. He earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors after leading Florida State with 14 1/2 tackles for loss, including 7 1/2 sacks, despite missing one game because of injury and being limited in several others.

He joins quarterback Jordan Travis, leading rusher Trey Benson and leading receiver Johnny Wilson in returning to play for coach Mike Norvell - and it could make the Seminoles (10-3) potential title contenders in 2023. "Obviously, the money is a big factor in it. But my biggest factor was, "What can I improve on?" Verse told ESPN after announcing his decision. "I just have to look at myself and say, 'OK, every day, I've still got a lot to improve on, I've still got a lot to be better at. "I did what was best for me, and what was best for me was coming back and competing with my team." - AP College Football

DT Tyler Davis

Tyler Davis and Ruke Orhorhoro are back. Davis and Orhorhoro, two of Clemson football's starting defensive tackles, are returning to the program for a fifth season, they confirmed on social media Friday. Davis was a first-team All ACC pick this season, and Orhorhoro was a third-team All ACC pick. They'd both previously accepted Senior Bowl invitations, walked on Senior Day and were projected as a Day 2 or 3 picks in April's NFL Draft. In returning to Clemson, Davis and Orhorhoro immediately position themselves as two of the top players on the Tigers' 2023 defense after excelling at defensive tackle alongside Bryan Bresee in recent seasons.<p>

Davis was statistically dominant as a senior with 31 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He played in 12 games, started 11 and picked up second-team All-America honors from the Football Writers of America Association and Phil Steele. He also earned his second straight first-team All ACC honor. Splitting reps with Bresee and Davis, Orhorhoro had 23 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass deflections and a career-high four sacks in 2022. - The State

WR Braydon Johnson

Oklahoma State wide receiver Braydon Johnson made it official Saturday. He has declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced via Twitter.

Johnson had an impressive 2022 season for the Cowboys, hauling in 32 receptions for 566 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the offense. It was quite the turnaround after playing in just one game in 2021.

"I want to thank God for blessing me with guidance and the ability to persevere through this journey of chasing my dream," Johnson wrote. "Without him I am nothing. I also want to thank Oklahoma State for allowing me the opportunity to develop mentally and physically into the young man I am today. I will forever be grateful for that … With that being said I will continue to pursue my lifelong dream and declare for the 2023 NFL Draft."

WR Trent Whittemore

Things are looking up at UCF, on the roster and on the coaching staff. Former Florida wide receiver Trent Whittemore is staying in-state and is transferring to UCF, he announced via social media Saturday morning. Dan Mullen originally brought the Florida native to Gainesville, but struggled to find his footing under the leadership of new head coach Billy Napier, only having four receptions for 87 yards in 2022. Whittemore saw more success when Mullen was in charge, having 29 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.<p>

New UCF offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw signed a two-year deal that pays him $600,000 annually, according to documents obtained by the Orlando Sentinel. Additionally, new UCF defensive coordinator Addison Williams, who was promoted from assistant head coach and defensive backs coach, signed a two-year contract that included a $450,000 annual raise in pay, documents show. Williams originally signed a two-year deal that paid him $250,000 per year when he was hired by UCF coach Gus Malzahn in February 2021 but now he'll make $700,000 as the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. - Twitter and Orlando Sun Sentinel

RB Wayne Taulapapa

Former Washington and Virginia running back Wayne Taulapapa officially declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced on his Twitter page on Friday evening. He shined in his only season with the Washington Huskies this year, putting up the best numbers of his college football career. Taulapapa racked up over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns. Per his Twitter account: "Always been a dream chaser, so why not me Grateful for each of you and the love and care I received both from my UVA and UW family CFB has been nothing but good to the kid from La'ie, Hawai'i! With that being said Big Papa // Samoan Slasher out #2023NFLDRAFT - Taulapapa Twitter.

WR Dee Wiggins

Former Louisville wide receiver Dee Wiggins has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3’s Matt Zenitz has confirmed. Wiggins was previously at Miami before joining the Cardinals program this season.

Wiggins played high school football at Miami Southridge (FL), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 404 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. - On3.com

WR Andrel Anthony

Former Michigan wideout Andrel Anthony is in the Transfer Portal and receiving interest from a lot of top programs across the country. On Saturday, he let his Twitter followers know that he was taking a visit to Oklahoma by posting a tweet with a pin with the location listed as Norman, OK.

Per his Twitter page, Anthony Jr. holds an offer from Oklahoma as well as offers from Miami and Notre Dame.

As a freshman in 2021, Anthony nearly reached 250 receiving yards. But as a sophomore this season he recorded just 80 total yards. Now, he’s bouncing from Ann Arbor to find a better opportunity to catch passes.

Anthony played high school football at East Lansing (Mich.) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 533 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

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CFB Player Movement: KC Wildcats to keep OL Beebe, four others

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