MANHATTAN — Daniel Sams seems to have a quiet dash of confidence as he bids to become Kansas State’s starting quarterback.
Sams, the backup last season for Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein, finds himself in a heated battle with junior-college transfer Jake Waters in preseason drills.
“It’s just doing what’s expected plus more,” Sams said late Monday afternoon during K-State’s media day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. “It’s more than a position. I feel like it’s a craft.
“You have to be a leader on-and-off the field, putting the offense in the right situations, and everything else falls into place.”
While Sams and Waters had solid spring games, neither player has emerged as a favorite, something that might not be determined until the final days leading up to Kansas State’s season-opening game on Friday, Aug. 30, at home against North Dakota State. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
“All I can assess are the three practices that we’ve had,” Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder said of the quarterback duo, “and the meetings that we’ve had. I really, probably will not be able to tell you anything differently than what we did out of spring practice.
“What I’ve seen has just been a carry-over. I think both of them are being very competitive. I think both are working diligently, and their work habits are extremely good.”
In eight games last season, Sams, now a sophomore, rushed for 235 yards on 32 carries and scored three touchdowns. He also had 6-for-8 passing for 55 yards.
“I don’t really look at it like that,” Sams said, when asked if it was his starting job to lose. “We still look at it like we’re competing.
“We just trying to come out here and do what we do. Jake is Jake, and I’m Daniel.”
In the spring game, Sams threw for 391 yards and Waters amassed 249.
Waters, a junior, was the NJCAA Player of the Year last season in leading Iowa Western Community College to a national championship.
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
