Wide Receiver
The Kansas State Wildcats will return their WR1 from 2024 in Jayce Brown, who totaled 47 receptions, 823 yards, and 5 touchdowns.
Outside of Brown, the passing game will rely on a group of transfers. Jaron Tibbs, Jerand Bradley, Jemyri Davis, and Caleb Medford were acquired through the portal to hopefully improve this passing attack.
Tibbs totaled 305 yards and 2 TDs for Purdue last season. Bradley totaled 431 yards and 4 TDs for Texas Tech in 2023 before making only two starts for Boston College last season. Davis totaled 536 yards and 6 TDs last season playing in junior college. Medford totaled 336 yards and 3 TDs last season for New Mexico.
With Avery Johnson entering his 2nd season as the starting quarterback, Kansas State would like to push the ball downfield. These transfers will need to step up as impact players in 2025.
Pass Rush
The Wildcats were efficient at getting after the quarterback in 2024. While most of their contributors return, they will need to replace their sack leader, Brendan Mott.
Mott totaled 8.5 sacks and 12 TFLs in 2024. He was voted All-Big 12 First Team and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. Mott accounted for approximately 25% of the Wildcats’ quarterback pressure.
While Kansas State will be returning numerous other contributors, not one of them totaled more than 4 sacks last season. The team will need one of these players to step up as the alpha of this pass rush.
Not only will the team miss Mott’s production, but it will also miss the attention that he drew. Opponents game planned around Mott’s ability, and he was consistently double-teamed at the line of scrimmage. Other players on the defensive front will likely not have as many 1-on-1 opportunities as they had last season.
Secondary
Kansas State totaled only 10 interceptions last season. 3 of those 10 will not return, as Marques Sigle was selected in the 5th round of the NFL Draft. 10 interceptions tied 60th in the country in 2024.
Projected starters in the secondary are Amarion Fortenberry, VJ Payne, Colby McCalister, Gunner Maldonado, and Zashon Rich.
Fortenberry had 2 INTs and 7 pass deflections at South Alabama last season. Payne is the leader of this group and totaled 64 tackles, 2 INTs, and 4 PDs last season. McCalister has played sparingly over the last two seasons, totaling 51 tackles and 2 PDs. Maldonado totaled 81 tackles and 2 interceptions for Arizona in 2023; however, he only played in 4 games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. Rich was a backup last year who totaled 3 PDs in 112 snaps.
The Big 12 is known for its spread offenses and high-volume passing. A good pass defense is paramount to winning this conference.
Klieman’s Signature Season?
In his years at Kansas State, head coach Chris Klieman has led this team to records of 8-5, 4-6, 8-5, 10-4, 9-4, and 9-4. Kansas State’s last 11-win season was in 2012. Can Klieman reach that mark in 2025?
The Wildcats’ two highest-rated recruits of the 247 Sports era are currently on the roster. 5-star TE Linkon Cure and top-10 QB Avery Johnson will play major roles for this team.
In his first year starting, Johnson posted 2,712 yards, 25 TDs, and 10 INTs through the air and 605 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. Kansas State is expecting a year two jump from Johnson.
Kansas State will have 3 bye weeks this season. Yes, 3 bye weeks. This team should be well-prepared and well-rested throughout the 2025 season.
Chris Klieman has the top-end talent and friendly schedule needed to make some serious noise in the upcoming season. Can the Wildcats take advantage of their opportunity in a conference that does not have a consensus front-runner?
