"He'll be a factor" Sterling Lockett hoping to carry on family legacy with K-State football

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - K-State football's history books are littered with the last name 'Lockett.' It's nearly impossible to miss.

Kevin Lockett became Kansas State's all-time receiving yards leader during his time in Manhattan from 1993-96, tallying 3,032 yards. His brother, Aaron, joined the top three at the time with 2,400 receiving yards in his career from 1998-2001.

Then, Kevin's son Tyler Lockett surpassed both their totals, racking up 3,710 receiving yards as a Wildcat from 2011-2014. Tyler also holds the program record for receiving touchdowns with 29.

Now, K-State fans might be getting deja vu as Sterling Lockett prepares for a bigger role in his third year with the team.

"He's been really good," K-State head football coach Chris Klieman said of Sterling, who's set for his redshirt sophomore season in 2024. "He'll be a factor this year."

The latest Lockett to sport the royal purple grew up in Leawood, Kansas and played at Blue Valley High School. He was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 11 player in Kansas for the class of 2022, by 247 Sports.

He redshirted as a true freshman in 2022 before appearing in two games as a redshirt freshman in 2023.

He worked on the scout team for most of year two despite being on the border of playing time, Klieman told 27 News.

"He just worked and worked and worked, and got better and better," Klieman said, adding Sterling caused the starting defenders all sorts of problems in practice during his second year detached from high school.

Klieman says the Wildcats have six to eight wide receivers which they believe can be contributors in 2024.

"He's one of them," Klieman said. "He's going to play. I'm excited about him. He's playing with a ton of confidence. Great route-runner, great hands, very shifty."

Sterling Lockett might also do something else the Wildcats in his family before him took great pride in: Contribute on special teams. Klieman says the redshirt sophomore is one of the guys in the mix to potentially return punts and kickoffs.

Aaron and Tyler both rank in the top 10 for the program's all-time career punt return yardage. Tyler holds the program's all-time record for total kickoff return yards with 2,196 and ranks third in kickoff return touchdowns with three.