Kansas State enters 2026 as one of the Big 12’s most intriguing hinge-point teams: talented enough to matter right away, but in enough transition that its true ceiling is hard to pin down. The Wildcats went 6–6 in 2025 and 5–4 in Big 12 play, averaging 29.4 points, 171.3 rushing yards, and 198.8 passing yards per game. Defensively, they allowed 26.7 points per game and often looked caught between being dangerous and dependable. The result was a season that never fully clicked, even as quarterback Avery Johnson and the offense continued to flash high-end upside.
That’s why 2026 feels so pivotal in Manhattan. Kansas State isn’t starting over, but it is entering a new era. Collin Klein was named head coach on December 4, 2025, bringing one of the most recognizable names in program history back to lead the Wildcats.
Advanced metrics suggest Kansas State remains firmly in the Big 12 race, even if it isn’t the preseason favorite. ESPN’s Bill Connelly’s initial 2026 SP+ rankings slot K-State No. 29 nationally, with the No. 17 projected offense and No. 49 defense. Within the Big 12, that places the Wildcats behind Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah in the raw SP+ pecking order but still clearly in the league’s large second tier of contenders. Connelly even noted that Kansas State, along with Arizona and Houston, has as strong a case to contend as some of the more conventionally hyped Big 12 teams.
So, how will the Wildcats look in Klein’s first season at the helm?
Table of Contents
Quarterback – 8/10
One position group that will see no turnover from 2025 is quarterback. Wildcats star Avery Johnson returns for his senior season in Manhattan after throwing for over 2,300 yards with 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, plus adding 544 rushing yards and 8 scores on the ground. A true dual-threat playmaker, reminiscent of his new head coach’s former playing style, Johnson should fit seamlessly into Collin Klein’s offensive system.
Projected Depth Chart:
QB1: Avery Johnson (Sr, Returner)
QB2: Jacob Knuth (Sr, Returner)
QB3: Blake Barnett (So, Returner)
Running Back – 7/10
While depth is a concern in the running back room, returning last year’s starter Joe Jackson justifies the 7-out-of-10 grade. Jackson rushed for over 900 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2025, standing out as the lone bright spot in an otherwise lackluster group. Promising back Dylan Edwards battled injuries and inconsistent playing time last season and has since transferred to rival Kansas. The incoming backs—Jay Harris, Rodney Fields Jr., and Makari Bodiford—will all compete for roles. The biggest question is: who can complement Jackson’s production and emerge as the Wildcats’ RB2 in 2026?
Projected Depth Chart:
RB1: Joe Jackson (Jr, Returner)
RB2: Rodney Fields Jr. (So, Oklahoma St.)
RB3: Jay Harris (Sr, Oregon)
Wide Receiver – 7/10
While losing top receiver Jayce Brown to LSU is a significant blow to this Kansas State offense, the playmakers returning and those coming in next season offer plenty of promise. They bring back Jaron Tibbs, who totaled nearly 600 yards last season, along with other potential impact players such as Adonis Moise and Isaac Koch. Incoming receiver talent Joshua Manning from Missouri, Izaiah Williams from Texas A&M, and Brandon White from Hawai‘i should all be major contributors next season. Expecting average to above average production from this group in 2026.
Projected Depth Chart:
WR-X: Jaron Tibbs (Sr, Returner), Adonis Moise (So, Returner)
WR-Z: Josh Manning (Sr, Missouri), Derrick Salley Jr. (RS-Sr, Hutchinson CC)
WR-SL: Izaiah Williams (RS-So, Texas A&M), Brandon White (RS-Sr, Hawai’i)
Tight End – 7/10
The Wildcats return their top two options from last season, Garrett Oakley and Will Anciaux, so I expect them to be the primary contributors at this position next year.
Offensive Line – 7.5/10
Returning only 46% of their offensive line snaps from 2025—primarily via All-Big 12 left tackle John Pastore—the Wildcats must replace four of five starters from last season’s unit. To offset those significant losses, they leaned heavily on the transfer portal to construct a new starting group. Keiton Jones, Delvin Morris, Tyler Johnson, Tanner Morley, Chase Duarte, and Charlie Adams all arrive in Manhattan from a mix of Power Four, Group of Five, and FCS programs. With so much turnover in the position group, here’s how I project the starting five to look in 2026.
Projected Depth Chart:
LT: John Pastore (RS-Sr, Returner), Tyler Johnson (RS-Jr, Auburn)
LG: Tanner Morley (RS-Jr, Colorado State), Charlie Adams (Jr, Cal Poly)
C: Delvin Morris (RS-Jr, Akron), Kyle Rakers (RS-So, Returner)
RG: Chase Duarte (So, San Diego State), Dylan Villarouel (RS-Fr, Returner)
RT: Gus Hawkins (RS-So, Returner), Georgia Fitzpatrick (RS-Sr, Returner)
Defensive Line – 7/10
While Kansas State loses seven of its top nine defensive line options from last season, it has also had to backfill heavily through the portal. Headlining the additions is 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and All-Big 12 selection Wendell Gregory from Oklahoma State, joined by Kamari Burns (Cincinnati), Austin Ramsey (Kentucky), Elijah Hill, De’Arieun Hicks, and Jayden Bryant. I expect this group to be a solid unit with significant upside heading into the fall.
Projected Depth Chart:
EDGE: Wendell Gregory (RS-So, Oklahoma St), Jayden Bryant (RS-So, Coastal Carolina)
NT: Kamari Burns (RS-Jr, Cincinnati), Austin Ramsey (RS-Jr, Kentucky)
DT: Travis Bates (Sr, Returner), De’Arieun Hicks (RS-So, Gardner-Webb)
EDGE: Jordan Allen (RS-Jr, Returner), Elijah Hill (So, Kennesaw St)
Linebackers – 7.5/10
The Wildcats lose their top two options at the position from last season, as Desmond Purnell and Austin Romaine graduate and transfer to Texas Tech, respectively. They do bring back a few contributors from last season in Asa Newsom, Rex Van Wyhe, and Gabe Powers. Their major additions to the position group from the portal are Mekhi Mason, who arrives from Louisiana Tech with more than 60 tackles and 15 TFLs, and Jacobi Oliphant Jr. from Oklahoma State. I project this unit to be very average in 2026, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Projected Depth Chart:
WILL: Asa Newsom (RS-Jr, Returner), Jacobi Oliphant Jr. (RS-So, Oklahoma State)
MIKE: Mekhi Mason (RS-Sr, Louisiana Tech), Rex Van Wyhe (RS-Sr, Returner)
Defensive Backs – 8/10
While the secondary will experience significant turnover from the 2025 squad, I like the additions brought in to replenish this defensive backfield. The cornerbacks return Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh, along with promising freshman JoJo Scott. Incoming cornerbacks Ja’son Prevard from Virginia and Kaleb Patterson from Illinois combine for more than 40 tackles and six pass breakups.
At safety, Wesley Fair and Logan Bartley return with notable game experience from last season. The Wildcats also bolster the back end with transfers Koy Beasley from Miami (OH) and Adrian Maddox from Georgia. While there is plenty of change here, this should still be a very solid defensive secondary for the Wildcats.
Projected Depth Chart:
CB1: Zashon Rich (Jr, Returner), Josiah Vilmael (Fr, Incoming)
SS: Adrian Maddox (RS-Sr, Georgia), Logan Bartley (So, Returner)
FS: Koy Beasley (RS-So, Miami-OH)
CB2: Kaleb Patterson (RS-Sr, Illinois), Donovan McIntosh (RS-Jr, Returner)
NICKEL: Ja’son Prevard (Sr, Virginia)
Coaching Staff – 6/10
The biggest offseason story is the coaching transition. Collin Klein is now the head coach, and he’s surrounded by a staff with substantial schematic experience. Kansas State hired Sean Gleeson as offensive coordinator after his stint at Missouri and brought in Jordan Peterson as defensive coordinator following two seasons as Texas A&M’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
The Wildcats also added veteran defensive strategist Tim DeRuyter as assistant head coach for defense and recently hired Marcel Yates to coach the cornerbacks. This isn’t a minor facelift; it’s a significant overhaul of the football operation on both sides of the ball.
The staff is rated only a 6/10 right now because Klein is a first-time head coach, and so much of the staff has turned over from last season. However, I am very high on Collin Klein’s long-term outlook in Manhattan and project him as a top coach in the Big 12 for years to come.
Notable Matchups in 2026
Week 4 at Cincinnati (9/26)
Week 6 vs Houston (10/10)
Week 7 vs Kansas (Sunflower Showdown Rivalry) (10/17)
Week 8 at Arizona State (10/24)
Week 10 vs Oklahoma State (11/7)
Week 11 at TCU (11/14)
