{"id":143,"date":"2026-05-18T22:23:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T22:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/?page_id=143"},"modified":"2026-05-22T03:44:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T03:44:50","slug":"kansas-state-wildcats","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/?page_id=143","title":{"rendered":"Kansas State Wildcats"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Schedule and Analysis<\/a> \/ Recruiting<\/a> \/ Kansas State football home<\/a> <\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2026 Season Preview<\/h2><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Projected Depth Chart<\/h2><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Head Coach:<\/strong> Collin Klein 
Offensive Coordinator:<\/strong> Sean Gleeson 
Defensive Coordinator:<\/strong> Jordan Peterson 
2025 Record<\/strong>: 6-6
2025 Big 12 Finish:<\/strong> 5-4 (T -7th)
2026 Record Projection:<\/strong> 
   Ceiling: 10 Wins
   Floor: 5 Wins
Top NFL Prospects:<\/strong> Joe Jackson, Ja\u2019son Prevard
Biggest Impact Transfers:<\/strong> Wendell Gregory, Joshua Manning, 
Most Likely Impact Freshmen:<\/strong> Julius Wilson (WR) , Derrick Salley Jr. (LB)
Biggest Strength:<\/strong> Running back and tight end 
Biggest Concern:<\/strong> Interior offensive line and defensive tackle 
Biggest Game<\/strong>: Kansas 
Trap Game:<\/strong> Oklahoma State 
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
QB:<\/strong> Everything still runs through Avery Johnson. The talent is obvious. He stresses defenses with his legs, creates explosive plays outside structure, and changes how opponents defend the run game. But this is the year the consistency has to show up too. There were still too many stretches last season where the passing game stalled and the offense drifted. K-State needs Johnson to control games more often instead of flashing it in moments. Behind him, Blake Barnett is well thought of inside the program and gives the coaching staff some relief knowing there is a capable backup in the room if needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
RB: <\/strong>This is a real running back room again. Joe Jackson gives the Wildcats the steady option who can handle volume and keep the offense on schedule. Rodney Fields Jr. brings the juice. He is the home-run threat this group needed, the kind of back who can turn a clean crease into a 60-yard problem. Jay Harris should not get lost in the shuffle either. He runs with more power and gives K-State a downhill finisher when the game gets physical. The bonus is that all three can catch the ball, so this is not just a handoff-only group. Screens, checkdowns, motion looks, third-down snaps, all of that is on the table. This should be one of the better running back rooms in the Big 12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
WR\/TE: <\/strong>The receiver room can work, but it is not scaring anybody yet. Jaron Tibbs and Joshua Manning give the Wildcats bigger bodies outside, and Brandon White can help underneath, but there is not a clear No. 1 who forces a defense to tilt coverage. That puts a lot on Izaiih Williams. He followed the staff over from Texas A&M and brings the kind of athletic upside this group needs. Freshman Julius Wilson should get worked in too, especially if the older receivers do not separate quickly enough. Tight end is the safer bet. Garrett Oakley, Will Anciaux, and Linkon Cure give K-State size and real options in the middle of the field. If the receivers are just average, the tight ends may end up carrying a pretty big chunk of the passing game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
OL: <\/strong>Up front, John Pastore is the one clear anchor. He has All-Big 12 ability and should be the best lineman on this team from the first snap. Tyler Johnson gives the Wildcats another big body at tackle after coming in from Auburn, so the edges are in decent shape. The interior is where the real work starts. Tanner Morley, Charlie Adams, Delvin Morris, Chase Duarte, Kyle Rakers, and Keiton Jones are all fighting for roles, and none of those spots should be treated as settled yet. K-State needs to find its best three quickly because this offense cannot live with interior leakage. The Wildcats still have size and enough raw material to be physical, but this group has to come together fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
DL: <\/strong>Wendell Gregory gives them a real pass-rushing piece off the edge, and that matters in a league where quarterbacks will pick you apart if you cannot affect the pocket. He had 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks last year, so there is actual disruption in his game. Jordan Allen gives K-State another playable edge, and Elijah Hill brings some burst as a situational rusher. The concern is inside. De\u2019Arieun Hicks, Travis Bates, Kamori Burns, and Austin Ramsey give the Wildcats bodies, but this is not a proven Big 12 defensive tackle room. The size and experience in the middle are real concerns, especially against teams that can lean on the run game. This line has a pass rusher to build around, but it does not look like a strength right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
LB:<\/strong> The linebacker room should be strong against the run, but coverage is still the question. Mekhi Mason is a really good addition because he brings more than tackle volume. He can play downhill, fit the run, and create pressure as a blitzer after putting up 15 tackles for loss and 4 sacks at Louisiana Tech. Asa Newsom should be the other starter and gives K-State a familiar piece who understands the defense. Gabe Powers and Rex Van Wyhe give the room usable depth, especially when the Wildcats want more size on the field. The concern is obvious. This group is built to attack the line of scrimmage, not live in space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
DB: <\/strong>The secondary has enough pieces to be solid, but the transfers have to settle in fast. Zashon Rich is the most proven corner after recording 57 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and an interception, and Donovan McIntosh gives the Wildcats needed length on the other side. Ja\u2019son Prevard is the key addition. He had 3 interceptions at Virginia and sliding him into nickel makes sense because he has the size and ball skills to handle a tough Big 12 role inside. Safety is where K-State added real intrigue with Koy Beasley from Miami-Ohio and Adrian Maddox from Georgia. Beasley brings real production with 40 tackles, 6 pass breakups, and an interception. Wesley Fair and Logan Bartley still matter as experienced depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
ST: <\/strong>The kicking game should be in good shape. Luis Rodriguez hit 13 of 15 field goals with a long of 51, so there is real reliability there and not just hope. That matters for a team that may play a lot of tight Big 12 games. Punter is less exciting. Simon McClannan has experience and enough leg, but the overall production needs to be cleaner. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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QB<\/strong>
1. Avery Johnson \u2014 SR \u2014 6'3\/195 \u2014 Kan St
2. Blake Barnett \u2014 SO \u2014 6'1\/215 \u2014 Kan St
RB<\/strong>
1. Joe Jackson \u2014 JR \u2014 6'0\/205 \u2014 Kan St
2. Rodney Fields Jr. \u2014 SO \u2014 5'9\/190 \u2014 Ok St
WR<\/strong>
1. Jaron Tibbs \u2014 SR \u2014 6'3\/210 \u2014 Kan St
1. Joshua Manning \u2014 SR \u2014 6'3\/210 \u2014 Missouri
1. Izaiih Williams \u2014 SO \u2014 6'0\/190 \u2014 Tex A&M
2. Brandon White \u2014 SR \u2014 5'7\/165 \u2014 Hawaii
2. Adonis Moise \u2014 SO \u2014 5'11\/185 \u2014 Kan St
2. Sterling Lockett \u2014 SR \u2014 5'10\/165 \u2014 Kan St
TE<\/strong>
1. Garrett Oakley \u2014 SR \u2014 6'5\/245 \u2014 Kan St
 2. Will Anciaux \u2014 JR \u2014 6'6\/255 \u2014 Kans St
T<\/strong>
1. John Pastore \u2014 SR \u2014 6'6\/300 \u2014 Kan St
1. Tyler Johnson \u2014 JR \u2014 6'6\/315 \u2014 Auburn 
2. Gus Hawkins \u2014 SO \u2014 6'7\/310 \u2014 Kans St
2. George Fitzpatrick \u2014 SR \u2014 6'6\/290 \u2014 Kans St
G<\/strong>
1. Tanner Morley \u2014 JR \u2014 6'6\/330 \u2014 Col St
1. Charlie Adams \u2014 JR \u2014 6'2\/315 \u2014 Cen Ark
2. Keiton Jones \u2014 FR \u2014 6'3\/320 \u2014 Missouri 
2. Chase Duarte \u2014 SO \u2014 6'4\/325 \u2014 San D St
C<\/strong>
1. Delvin Morris \u2014 JR \u2014 6'3\/275 \u2014 Akron 
2. Kyle Rakers \u2014 SO \u2014 6'4\/295 \u2014 Kan St

DE<\/strong>
1. Wendell Gregory \u2014 SO \u2014 6'3\/255 \u2014 Ok St
1. Jordan Allen \u2014 JR \u2014 6'4\/260 \u2014 Kan St
2. Jayden Bryant \u2014 SO \u2014 6'4\/235 \u2014 Coast Carol
2. Elijah Hill \u2014 SO \u2014 6'2\/230 \u2014 Kenn St 
DT<\/strong>
1. Travis Bates \u2014 SR \u2014 6'3\/275 \u2014 Kan St
1.Kamori Burns \u2014 JR \u2014 6'3\/290 \u2014 Cincinnati 
2. Austin Ramsey \u2014 JR \u2014 6'4\/305 \u2014 Kentucky 
2. De'Arieun Hicks \u2014 SO \u2014 6'3\/285 \u2014 Web St
LB<\/strong>
1. Mekhi Mason \u2014 SR \u2014 6'2\/230 \u2014 Louis Tech 
1. Asa Newsom \u2014 JR \u2014 6'3\/220 \u2014 Kan St
2. Gabe Powers \u2014 SR \u2014 6'3\/230 \u2014 Kan St
2. Rex Van Wyhe \u2014 SR \u2014 6'5\/235 \u2014 Kan St 
CB<\/strong>
1. Zashon Rich \u2014 JR \u2014 6'1\/205 \u2014 Kan St
1. Donovan McIntosh \u2014 JR \u20146'3\/185 \u2014 Kan St
2. Kaleb Patterson \u2014SR \u20146'1\/185 \u2014 Illinois 
2. Martel Jackson \u2014 FR \u2014 6'1\/170 \u2014 Kan St
S<\/strong>
1. Koy Beasley \u2014 SO \u20145'10\/185 \u2014 Miami-Ohio
1. Adrian Maddox \u2014 SR \u2014 6'1\/190 \u2014 Georgia  
2. Wesley Fair \u2014 JR \u2014 6'1\/200 \u2014 Kans St 
2. Logan Bartley \u2014 SO \u2014 6'2\/210 \u2014 Kan St
NB<\/strong>
1. Ja'son Prevard \u2014 SR \u20146'2\/195 \u2014 Virginia 
2. JoJo Scott \u2014 FR \u2014 6'1\/175 \u2014 Kan St 
K<\/strong>
1. Luis Rodriguez \u2014 JR \u2014 6'1\/215 \u2014 Kan St
P<\/strong>
1. Simon McClannan \u2014 JR \u2014 5'11\/185 \u2014 Kan St
<\/pre>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Coach: <\/strong>Collin Klein is the headline here, and for K-State fans this hire is personal. He was not just a hot coaching name. He was one of the defining players in the modern history of the program, a 2012 Heisman finalist, and later worked his way up as a coach before returning to Manhattan. Sean Gleeson brings real coordinator experience after stops at Princeton, Oklahoma State, Rutgers, and Missouri, including a 2019 run as Oklahoma State\u2019s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. This should still be Klein\u2019s offense in personality and direction, especially with Avery Johnson at quarterback. Jordan Peterson comes over after working with Klein at Texas A&M and brings defensive backs experience plus coordinator background. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outlook:<\/strong> Kansas State should be good this year. The schedule is manageable, the backfield is strong, the tight ends are reliable, and the secondary has enough talent if the transfers settle in. This season comes down to Collin Klein and Avery Johnson. Klein knows the place and should have an offense that fits Johnson\u2019s skill set. Now he has to run the whole program and unlock the quarterback at the same time. Johnson has been dangerous, but not fully developed. Too many flashes. Not enough control. If Klein gets him playing with better rhythm as a passer, K-State can push into the upper tier of the Big 12. If not, this probably looks more like a middle-of-the-pack team. The schedule gives them an opening. They need to take it. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Swing Players<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Kansas State\u2019s season probably swings on whether the high-leverage pieces become real difference-makers. Avery Johnson is the obvious one because the entire offense changes if he becomes more than a dangerous athlete at quarterback. The arm talent and running ability are already there, but K-State needs more control, cleaner rhythm, and fewer empty stretches from the passing game. Wendell Gregory matters because this defensive line needs a real Big 12 pass rusher, and he is the one guy up front with proven disruption after posting 12 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. If he consistently affects quarterbacks, it takes pressure off a defensive tackle room that still has questions. Ja\u2019son Prevard is just as important in the secondary. Nickel is a brutal job in this league, and his size, coverage ability, and ball production give Kansas State a chance to match up better against slot receivers, tight ends, and quick-game concepts. If all three hit, K-State looks a lot more dangerous than the roster questions suggest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Schedule and Analysis \/ Recruiting \/ Kansas State football home 2026 Season Preview Projected Depth Chart Head Coach: Collin Klein Offensive Coordinator: Sean Gleeson Defensive Coordinator: Jordan Peterson 2025 Record: 6-62025 Big 12 Finish: 5-4 (T -7th)2026 Record Projection: Ceiling: 10 Wins Floor: 5 WinsTop NFL Prospects: Joe Jackson, Ja\u2019son PrevardBiggest Impact Transfers: Wendell Gregory, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-143","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"big12review","author_link":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/?author=1"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Schedule and Analysis \/ Recruiting \/ Kansas State football home 2026 Season Preview Projected Depth Chart Head Coach: Collin Klein Offensive Coordinator: Sean Gleeson Defensive Coordinator: Jordan Peterson 2025 Record: 6-62025 Big 12 Finish: 5-4 (T -7th)2026 Record Projection: Ceiling: 10 Wins Floor: 5 WinsTop NFL Prospects: Joe Jackson, Ja\u2019son PrevardBiggest Impact Transfers: Wendell Gregory,…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=143"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152,"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/143\/revisions\/152"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/big12review.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}