Kansas State's Linkon Cure Adds Another Reason For Preseason Hype Machine

Tight end Linkon Cure enters this season as the highest-rated recruit in Kansas State history. He is the program's first-ever five-star recruit and expected to contribute immediately. As if that isn't enough pressure, the hype continues.

Cure received an 81 overall ration in the EA Sports College Football `26 video game. It is one of the most popular games in the world. Cure's rating is fifth among freshman. The 6-foot-5 Cure was a three-sport standout at Goodland (Kan.) High School. He set the state hurdles record and also led the basketball team to back-to-back state-title game appearances.

Cure, a selection for the All-American Bowl, is only rated behind Oregon receiver Dakorien Moore, Clemson running back Gideon Davidson and LSU running back Harlem Berry. He is tied with James Simon (Texas) and James Simon Zymear Smith (Maryland).

CONSISTENCY KEY FOR AVERY

Last season Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson had plenty of ups and downs in his first as the starter. At times, he looked brilliant. Then there were the other games he looked like a newbie.

If Johnson is going to take the Wildcats to a new level, he needs perform more consistently. This is his most glaring weakness according to ESPN's Bill Connelly.

"His best performances were awesome enough that, in the Wildcats' nine wins, they averaged 37.6 points per game," Connelly wrote. "He gave us quite a few glimpses of the potential he was supposed to have when he came to Manhattan as the No. 3 dual-threat QB in the class of 2023 (and one of K-State's most celebrated signings in quite a while)."

The downside was when Johnson struggled. He made bad throws, especially when the Wildcats trailed. He also had issues with accuracy.

"He also had some absolute duds," Connelly said. "He threw two picks in three of the Wildcats' four losses. He went 12-for-28 against Iowa State. For as good as the good performances were, K-State averaged just 15.8 points in its four losses, three of which came in November as the Wildcats tumbled out of the Big 12 title race."

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