Kansas State vs. Stanford: TV schedule, game time, 2017 NFL Draft prospects to watch

Fooch’s update: The 49ers are busy on the first major Friday of college football:

Week 1 of the college football season is upon us, and with the start of the 49ers regular season just around the corner, we are going to take a look at our potential future. Each week throughout the college season, we will break down a few college football games providing highlights and profiles of draft-eligible prospects. So, sit back, put your scouting hat on, and let's get things started with Week 1.

Kansas State Wildcats at No. 8 Stanford Cardinal

Time: 6:00 PM PST
Channel: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go

Last season, Stanford opened up their season losing to the purple wearing Northwestern Wildcats. This season, the Cardinal looks to kick things off on a better note, facing another purple wearing Wildcats team in Kansas State. Look for Kansas State to use their speed on defense to try and contain Stanford's Heisman hopeful, Christian McCaffrey, forcing the Cardinal's new quarterback, Ryan Burns, to beat them in the passing game. The Wildcats return nine starters on a very talented defense, and coach Bill Snyder has a tendency to have his teams rise to the occasion keeping games thoroughly contested. Stanford's coach, David Shaw, must keep his players focused in order to overcome their tendency of starting off slow in opening games.

Kansas State will be showcasing two draft-eligible players today in DE Jordan Willis - No. 75, and SS Dante Barnett - No. 22. Jordan Willis brings length and speed off the edge for the Wildcats, displaying impressive athleticism to beat most offensive lineman, but also the awareness and football instincts to read offensive formations. After leading K-State with 15 1/2 tackles for loss, 9 1/2 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles, Willis brings the explosion and size off the edge the 49ers like to see.

Dante Barnett returns to the Wildcats after missing last season suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during the opener. Pass defense was an issue for K-State last year, but look for Barnett's strength and leadership to fill the void this season. A playmaker in the back end, Barnett displays excellent range, sound awareness, good ball skills, burst with explosive closing speed, and is a strong tackler hitting with explosion.

Kansas State

WR Deante Burton, No. 6, 6'2" - 205 lbs., 4.59 40 - (UDFA)
DE Jordan Willis, No. 75, 6'4" - 258 lbs., 4.67 40 - (6th)
OLB Will Davis, No. 35, 6'0" - 224 lbs., 4.67 40 - (UDFA)
ILB Charmeachealle Moore, No. 52, 6'0" - 221 lbs., 4.72 40 - (UDFA)
SS Dante Barnett, No. 22, 6'0" - 193 lbs., 4.56 40 - (6th-7th)

Three players to keep an eye on for Stanford are: *RB Christian McCaffrey - No. 5, WR Michael Rector - No.3, and OG Johnny Caspers - No. 57.

The son of San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos Super Bowl winning wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, Christian McCaffrey lit up the nation in 2015 when he smashed Barry Sanders' all-purpose yardage record with 3,864. A true versatile player, Christian bestows a perfect blend of athleticism, explosion, balance, foot quickness, and agility, combined with tremendous patience and vision that would make Frank Gore proud. A dynamic threat in all offensive facets of the game, the junior showcases a home run threat whenever he touches the ball displaying great speed (gets to full speed in a hurry), impressive hands (natural pass catcher), and the elusiveness to step-out-of and break tackles consistently. Moreover, he's adept at running downhill with excellent pad-level and suddenness, and the superb vision and patience to find the cutbacks on zone runs. Brings promising value in the return game.

Michael Rector, a fifth year senior, brings explosiveness and speed on the outside making him one of the premier deep threats in the Pac-12. The former soccer and track athlete bestows superb athleticism, great balls skills, long arms, and soft hands.

Johnny Caspers brings a physical and aggressive attitude to Stanford's offensive line. Locked in at right guard for the Cardinal this year, Caspers also provides experience playing center, which will likely be his position at the next level. The former baseball and lacrosse star boasts impressive athleticism and quickness for his size, displaying terrific agility pulling quickly reaching the second level with the strength behind his pads and the consistent leg drive opening holes. Shows sound foot agility easily capable of sliding laterally across the line, and is stout in anchoring the pocket setting a solid base allowing the quarterback to step up in the pocket. The powerful leader of the offensive line also provides versatility capable of playing all interior positions, which should benefit him at the next level. 49ers may be in the market for a backup center.

Another Stanford player to keep an eye on is K Conrad Ukropina. Phil Dawson is a free agent at the end of the season.

* = indicates junior status

Stanford

*RB Christian McCaffrey, No. 5, 6'0" - 202 lbs., 4.48 40 - (1st)
WR Michael Rector, No. 3, 6'1" - 189 lbs., 4.49 40 - (7th)
WR Francis Owusu, No. 6, 6'2" - 223 lbs., 4.52 40 - (UDFA)
OG Johnny Caspers, No. 57, 6'4" - 300 lbs., 5.29 40 - (3rd)
ILB Noor Davis, No. 3, 6'3" - 244 lbs., 4.86 40 - (UDFA)
FS Zach Hoffpauir, No. 10, 6'0" - 197 lbs., 4.59 40 - (UDFA)
SS Dallas Lloyd, No. 29, 6'2" - 213 lbs., 4.64 40 - (UDFA)
K Conrad Ukropina, No. 34, 6'0" - 192 lbs., 4.92 40 - (7th-UFA)