MANHATTAN — Darren Sproles is a perfect example of Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder’s preference for molding smallish running backs into big-time football players.
Sproles, a diminutive 5-foot-6, 180-pound wunderkind, became a Kansas State icon, breaking the school’s career rushing mark a decade ago. Sproles finished with 4,979 yards in 815 carries, including a nation-leading 1,986 yards during his junior season in 2003 and placing fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. K-State upset No. 1-ranked Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game that season and then lost to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Sproles is now a National Football League veteran, entering his ninth season and third with the New Orleans Saints, one of the most entertaining and electric running backs/kick returners in the game.
Kansas State’s John Hubert noticed Snyder’s preference for small backs in high school while he was being recruited. He starred at Waco High in Waco, Texas, breaking some of former NFL running back LaDainian Tomlinson’s records.
“Even before I came here, I had a lot of people tell me that Coach Snyder goes for the smaller-type backs,” said the durable Hubert, a 5-7, 191-pound senior, during Kansas State’s media day on Monday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. “That’s one of the reasons I came here.
“Actually, I appreciate that because most coaches and most teams don’t use small backs.”
No question, Hubert has had a productive career with the Wildcats while not being afraid of taking some hard knocks. He rushed for a team-best 947 yards last season, ranking No. 4 in the conference with a 5.0-yards-per-carry average, and needs 15 yards to move into 10th place on the K-State career rushing list. Eric Gallon, a running back for the Wildcats from 1989 to 1992, currently sits No. 10 on the chart with 1,960 yards.
“Most of the small backs are the elusive, speed-type guys, but I’m a small back and I run like I’m big,” Hubert said. “I like running between tackles, breaking arm-tackles and stuff like that.
“I like doing what big guys do.”
Hubert was the secondary option in Kansas State’s running game in 2012 behind run-minded quarterback Collin Klein, a first-team All-Big 12 Conference performer, who led the Wildcats to a No. 1 ranking in the Bowl Championship Series standings late in the season before they finished 11-2.
The graduated Klein finished with 920 rushing yards in 207 carries and tied an NCAA record for rushing touchdowns for a quarterback with 23.
Klein placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, the first underclassmen to the win the award, and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.
While Klein seeks to latch on in an NFL training camp, Hubert figures to have an increased role in the backfield for the Wildcats.
“I’m definitely going to get more of the carries, more of the load this season,” Hubert said. “We’ve got a couple guys that can come in and help out.”
One is even shorter than Hubert in Robert Rose, a 5-4, 176-pound senior from Miami, Fla., who rushed for nine yards in three games last season.
K-State opens its season on Friday, Aug. 30, at home against North Dakota State. Kickoff  is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

2013 KANSAS STATE
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 — NORTH DAKOTA STATE, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 — LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 — MASSACHUSETTS, 6 p.m.
Sept. 21 — At Texas
Oct. 5 — At Oklahoma State
Oct. 12 — BAYLOR
Oct. 26 — WEST VIRGINIA
Nov. 2 — IOWA STATE
Nov. 9 — At Texas Tech
Nov. 16 — TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Nov. 23 — OKLAHOMA
Nov. 30 — At Kansas
HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS