I know it’s a little chilly in Manhattan today (here in Athens, Georgia, it’s sunny but windy with a 38-degree chill, though I doubt you’ll feel sorry for me), but spring practice kicks off in just over a month! I’ll use this time to help everyone get acquainted with the new faces on campus. I’m starting with the portal additions since they’ll be active this spring. I’ll keep a running list of links at the end of each article, and you’ll be able to find everything in the “Roster Reset” story stream.
Now, let’s dive in. Caleb Medford, from Henderson, Texas, and a product of Henderson High School, was rated as a mid-three-star recruit (84.73 composite) and ranked as the 107th best player in Texas, the 152nd best wide receiver nationally, and the 917th overall player in the 2020 recruiting class. During his senior year at Henderson High, he recorded 45 receptions for 850 yards (18.9 per catch) and 12 touchdowns. He was also part of the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay teams in track. Medford committed to TCU, choosing them over offers from Ole Miss, Purdue, Missouri, and Baylor.
Medford joined TCU in the challenging 2020 recruiting class but struggled to make an impact during his three seasons in Fort Worth. His most playing time came as a sophomore in 2021, where he played in five games but didn’t record any catches. In 2022, he played just one game. After entering the transfer portal in late 2022, he signed with New Mexico.
Medford is joining Kansas State mainly due to his performance in the 2023 season at New Mexico, where he recorded 30 receptions for 551 yards and two touchdowns. While he didn’t catch many passes, he made big plays when he did. His standout game came on the road against Fresno State, where he had six catches for 122 yards and a touchdown. His 33-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter helped seal the 25-17 upset.
The 2023 season wasn’t as impressive for Medford, as he played in 11 games and finished with 18 receptions for 336 yards and three touchdowns. Despite limited opportunities, he averaged an impressive 18.7 yards per catch. His best performance came in another upset win, this time against 19th-ranked Washington State. Medford caught a 42-yard touchdown pass to pull New Mexico closer, showing his ability to make big plays.
What Medford Brings to Kansas State:
Medford’s primary role at Kansas State will be to stretch defenses with his deep speed. He joins Purdue transfer Jaron Tibbs and Boston College transfer Jerand Bradley in a receiving class focused on size and outside threats. Of the three, Medford is the best deep threat. While he may not be a high-volume receiver, he’ll help create space for Avery Johnson and occasionally make big plays.
From watching his film at New Mexico, what stands out most is his smooth, deep speed. His background in track helped him develop impressive acceleration and long strides. He can cover ground quickly without defenders noticing until it’s too late. Medford has solid hands and can outjump smaller defenders along the sidelines.
The coaching staff is taking a calculated risk on a player who showed flashes of potential at New Mexico. It’ll be intriguing to see how Medford performs with Avery Johnson throwing downfield passes. He’ll likely compete for playing time at the boundary receiver position and could be used as a situational sub when the offense wants to take a shot at the end zone from midfield.
