SALINA — Goodland High School tight end Linkon Cure is well aware that all eyes in Kansas high school recruiting circles are on him this month as he nears a decision.
For one thing, five-star prospects are rare in Kansas, and in a year where many of the state’s top targets are looking elsewhere, Cure’s list of finalists include both Kansas State football and Kansas.
That has made Cure’s decision arguably the most scrutinized since quarterback Avery Johnson chose K-State two years ago. He currently is the No. 2-ranked prospect in the state behind Blue Valley Northwest offensive tackle Andrew Babalola.
“It’s definitely been a crazy process,” Cure said last week during a stop at Jake Sharp’s Top Prospects camp at Salina Stadium. “I love all the in-state hype. Everybody supports me really well, so I love that.”
Then again, the in-state battle between K-State and KU for Cure’s services is not the whole story. He recently listed those two along with Oregon and Texas A&M as the four finalists and insists that he is keeping an open mind until he completes his official visits later this month.
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“It’s pretty wide open between those four,” said Cure, who visited Kansas last week, was at A&M this weekend and is headed to Oregon on June 14-16 before finishing up at K-State the weekend of June 21-23. “I’ll take the OVs in these coming weeks. It should be fun and I’m excited for what’s at hand.”
Cure said he wants to make a final decision before the start of his senior year.
K-State is widely considered the favorite to land the athletic 6-foot-6, 220-pound Cure, a multi-sport standout at Goodland who also plays basketball and has won several state hurdles championships in track.
K-State was the first to offer him a scholarship after a camp in Manhattan last summer, and he has followed the Wildcats for much of his life.
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“It was definitely really cool for me because of growing up a K-State fan and that being my first offer,” Cure said. “That was really special, and I’ll always remember that for the rest of my life.
“I’m not sure if it will play a part (in the final decision), but it really meant something to me to get that one as my first.”
While Cure followed K-State growing up, there might be the temptation this time to follow his older brother Leyton, a transfer from Fort Hays State who recently signed as a preferred walk-on at KU.
“It would be cool to play with him, but I don’t think that’s going to factor in for me,” Cure said. “I have to do what’s best for me and he has to do what’s best for him, so we’ll just have to see.”
A bigger factor for Cure is how he will fit into the offense wherever he ends up. On that front, K-State seems to check all the boxes.
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“We’ve talked about it a lot and gone over a lot of film,” Cure said of conversations with new offensive coordinator Conor Riley, co-coordinator Matt Wells and position coach Brian Lepak. “Me and coach Lepak kind of joke around that I could probably tell you what happens in that play before the video even plays.
“I have a really good idea of how they’re going to use me. I’ve talked with coach Riley, too, and I absolutely love it. I love their ideas and what they have in hand for this year, so I’m excited to see what they do, because it will be an evolutionized version of (Collin) Klein’s offense a little bit.”
The fact that former Wildcat tight end Ben Sinnott was picked in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders also gave Cure an idea of what is possible. Sinnott also was a versatile tight end with wide receiver skills.
“I know my plan is to eventually develop into a true tight end, but the first couple of years it (might be) kind of like a jumbo wide receiver,” said Cure, who as a junior at Goodland caught 42 passes for 946 yards and 14 touchdowns. “I’m excited to see what (different schools) will use me for.”
Wherever he goes, Cure sees himself making an impact both on and off the field.
“I’m very explosive,” he said. “The biggest thing, I’m a leader on the field and that really plays a big part into a team, just having a leader out there. But as a player I bring all of the above: speed, elusiveness and strength. I see myself as an all-around player.”
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
