Twenty-four. That’s the number of former Kansas State stars competing on NFL rosters during this year’s preseason — and it’s a number that continues to grow each year under head coach Chris Klieman. 

Here’s a look at some key contributors to their team’s success so far. Stay tuned all season for a complete look at Wildcats in the NFL. 

Cooper Beebe, OL, Dallas Cowboys

Beebe, who will eventually see his name displayed in the Wildcats’ ring of honor, is already making a name for himself as a third-round rookie in Dallas. 

After the opening weeks of camp and preseason, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Beebe is moving up on the depth chart. 

According to ABC 8 in North Texas, McCarthy said Beebe will start getting some opportunities with the starters moving forward.

“He has earned that opportunity,” McCarthy said. 

Though Beebe spent most of his K-State career at guard, he’s been taking reps as the Cowboys’ No.1 center recently. 

Dak Prescott getting in some work with rookie C Cooper Beebe pic.twitter.com/HKyEDu6KRT

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 20, 2024

Deuce Vaughn, RB, Cowboys

Like old times, Beebe has been paving the way for the shifty Vaughn in the preseason. 

After a rookie year filled with injuries and being stuffed on the depth chart, Vaughn has capitalized on his increased playing time in the preseason. 

Deuce Vaughn hits a clean juke

: #DALvsLV on @NFLNetwork
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/qpQhJAmeCh

— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2024

“That was pretty awesome,” running back coach Brian Anderson said. “… To see those two in the huddle together and then running the inside play and seeing Cooper leading the way. It was pretty awesome.” 

Vaughn will continue to fit his way up the Cowboys’ depth chart that currently slots him as the third back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle. 

Malik Knowles, WR, Minnesota Vikings

After a rookie campaign plagued by being placed on injured reserve, Knowles attempts to cement his roster spot this season. 

The former undrafted free agent grabbed a touchdown catch in his lone target this preseason. 

Best place to be on your birthday, in the endzone! @Leekfor6 pic.twitter.com/dGbw5zwqwx

— K-State Football (@KStateFB) August 17, 2024

The Vikings will look for more depth behind star Justin Jefferson after WR2 suffered a significant ankle injury. 

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs’ 2023 first-round selection, saw limited playing time behind two proven starters at defensive end last year. 

With each starter returning, more of the same could be in store for Anudike-Uzomah as he continues to develop into the top draft pick the Chiefs envisioned. 

THREAD: Felix Anudike-Uzomah played the most snaps of all #Chiefs DL in preszn Wk1

He had two quality rush snaps with 1st tm:

1. Comes off ball w/ urgency upfield, opens up LT’s inside shoulder for bull rush

2. Presses back of pocket, then redirects when he feels QB step up pic.twitter.com/TyKYMoinwl

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) August 13, 2024

Randen Plattner, LS, Kansas City Chiefs

Plattner, the Wildcats’ longtime long snapper, went undrafted this offseason and signed with the Ravens until his release Aug. 11 — however, a recent injury to the Chiefs’ James Winchester created an opening for Plattner. 

“Winchester, with that AC sprain, we’re just going to hold him out,” Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve signed a center that will come in and do the long snapping for us this week until he gets back.”

Ekow Boye-Doe, DB, Kansas City Chiefs

Boye-Doe, another UDFA taken by the Chiefs, hung around on special teams for most of his rookie campaign last season. With another season under his belt, he appears to have cemented his place in Kansas City — albeit potentially on the practice squad or special teams again. 

Come for Ekow Boye-Doe talking about having Felix and Phillip Brooks on the team

Stay for the “Go Cats” at the end pic.twitter.com/887V5GLjf4

— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) August 18, 2024

The Chiefs’ starters at cornerback are set, but Boye-Doe has proven himself to be a valuable piece of depth. 

Defensive back rotation watch: With Nazeeh Johnson and Watson still out of team, here was the rotation with Trent McDuffie inside

First team: Joshua Williams, Kelvin Joseph (outside), McDuffie (inside)
Second team: Ekow Boye Doe, Keith Taylor (outside), Nic Jones (inside)

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 31, 2024

Phillip Brooks, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Rounding out the growing list of Wildcats making the trip down I-70 to Kansas City is Lee’s Summit native Phillip Brooks. 

Brooks signed with the Chiefs as a return specialist in addition to a receiver this offseason after going undrafted. With plenty of depth at receiver this season, Brooks will likely aim to find a spot on the Chiefs’ practice squad. 

Still, the experience in his limited time with the Chiefs has been surreal for Brooks. 

KC native and former K-State WR/KR Phillip Brooks went to multiple Chiefs games a year with his grandpa growing up

Once that tomahawk chop set in in his first game playing in Arrowhead, it became surreal pic.twitter.com/3f6oBGOgk0

— Landon Reinhardt (@landonian87) August 18, 2024