One more time; Couchman to take the field one last time
Scott City, Kan. (westernkansasnews.com)–The five years of being a Kansas State Wildcat football player will come to an end following the Texas Bowl game for linebacker Colborn Couchman. In those five years, it’s been a ride that very few get to be a part of.
Couchman found his way to Kansas State as a walk-on out of Scott City. As a senior, Couchman was a Class 3A First Team All-State defensive end, and all-league selection as a defensive end and fullback, leading the Beavers to an 11-1 season, and another good run in the Class 3A State playoffs. He rushed for 1,242 yards and 22 touchdowns, while collecting 87 tackles and 10 sacks on defense. Those efforts led him to earn a spot on the West’s Shrine Bowl squad.
After turning down offers at the junior college level, Couchman would accept an offer to walk-on at Kansas State. He would redshirt his first year in the Little Apple, a year that Kansas State claimed its second-ever Big 12 Championship, winning over Texas in its final game of the regular season. It wasn’t until the Louisiana game in 2013 that Couchman would start playing. He recorded his first collegiate tackle in the win over the Rajun Cajuns, and would cement his spot on special teams over the next four years. In his freshman season, Couchman had a special teams-best 11 tackles, including three tackles in a win over Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings bowl. He would record eight his sophomore year. By the time his junior year came around, Couchman earned a scholarship for his efforts on the field. That year was cut short by three games due to an injury, and still finished with 11 tackles, 10 coming on special teams. His senior year saw him have a career-best four tackles against Florida Atlantic, and has nine on the season. The game against Florida Atlantic earned him the Wildcats “Special Teams Player of the Week” honor.
With his career coming to a close in Houston, Couchman’s run at Kansas State is an example of one who has embraced College Football Hall of Fame Coach Bill Snyder’s 16 Goals. It’s been a great run for a small town, who has accomplished what many Kansas kids dream to do: be a Division I college football player
Colborn Couchman
Interview was recorded November 26, following the Wildcats 34-19 win over Kansas.
