#29 Khalid Duke — The graduation of Khalid Duke (29) has freed up his jersey number for perhaps the unlikeliest of inheritors: sophomore cornerback Kanijal Thomas. | Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 29th day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State cornerback Kanijal Thomas.

#29 Kanijal Thomas

True Sophomore | 5-11 | 180 lbs. | Del City, Oklahoma

Position: Cornerback
Previous College: None
Projection: Co-Second-String
Status: On Scholarship

Kanijal Thomas (b. Aug. 14, 2004) is a young cornerback from Del City High School, in the small Oklahoma City suburb of the same name, who is majoring in psychology.

Thomas — who brings great agility, speed and stamina — did not redshirt as a true freshman and saw time in seven games as a member of the Wildcats’ punt return and kickoff coverage teams in 2023, while he played as a reserve defensive back against Troy.

He totaled two tackles on the year, one against Southeast Missouri and one against Troy.

Thomas seems set for bigger things this season, and I currently have him projected to rotate with Donovan McIntosh as the primary backups to junior starter Jacob Parrish.

He prepped under head coach Robert Jones at Del City, where he was regarded as the 43rd-best cornerback in the Class of 2023 by On3, which also rated him fifth among all prospects in the state of Oklahoma.

Thomas picked up honorable mention all-state honors as a junior from the Tulsa World.

He recorded 177 tackles, four tackles for loss, three interceptions and 14 passes defended during his four-year prep career, not to mention multiple Athlete of the Week honors.

Thomas played wide receiver in addition to defensive back, hauling in 41 receptions for 1,075 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 821 yards and 14 scores coming his senior campaign.

He also competed in basketball — helping the Eagles to win a state championship — and in track and field, winning a state championship in the 400-meter relay.

Thomas committed to K-State over offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Memphis, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, as well as strong recruiting interest from Arkansas.