K-State lands No. 22

Jake Roepke of Hoyt (Kan.) Royal Valley always had the potential to be a Division I prospect.

He just needed to get things together as a senior and prove to the college coaches that he had what it takes.

After taking unofficial visits to Kansas State, Kansas and Missouri and sending out a round of senior tape, one school decided it liked what it saw and offered the 6-foot-7, 298-pounder.

It was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"K-State was the first D-I school to send me letters in my junior season, and they were with me from the beginning," Roepke said. "Last Tuesday they wanted another round of film to top it off and make a call on whether or not they were going to offer me. We had a good game against Mar Hill, and I sent it in. A few days later they offered me. Friday, I called Matt Wallerstedt to commit, and I committed to him.

"But I couldn't get in touch with coach Prince until Saturday morning. I finally talked to him, and some of the other coaches. They were all really excited to have me. I love the mentality of the coaching staff and the program is going to be on the way up."

Roepke is the fourth offensive lineman to commit to Kansas State, and he said the Wildcats told him that offensive line is a major priority. Roepke fills the mold of other Wildcat line commitments – tall with good footwork.

"I really would like to think I could help them out early," Roepke said. "I think I now know what it takes to be guy that plays at a high level."

Early on, Roepke had to battle some off the field issues that kept him from reaching his full potential. After playing his junior season at Valley Heights and then moving to Royal Valley this past spring, his coach, Jason Grider, gushed about how much potential Roepke had.

"He still needs to work hard to be a Division I player," Grider said back in July. "He played at Valley Heights last year, because of an unique family situation, but he's been here at Royal Valley since the spring. He was a state qualifier and finisher in the shot and the discus. We're expecting a lot of big things from.

"One of the first things one of my assistants told me when I got here was about Jake. He told me that 'if this kid figures it out, it's not just D-I, it's Miami D-I.' He's got that much potential."

Apparently he's figured it out.

Both Roepke and his coach agree the light bulb has clicked on and he's worked hard to become a more complete player.

"I don't know how to explain it," he said. "Something just hit me. I knew I had to be doing this good and should have been doing it all along. A whole new fire had been lit. I've been brining that attitude to practice and with me to every game.

"I'm playing ball, and doing good at it."

The season is off to a great start at Royal Valley as Roepke is opening up huge holes for his team's fullback to run through all the time.

"We're 4-1," Roepke said. "We lost our second game to Sabetha. We could have taken those guys. We just didn't show up. This Friday we play against Holton, the two time defending state champion. We've got a shot. We're really strong and really good this year.

"We're all playing up to our potential, and this could be the start of something really special for us."