As Chris Klieman left the Wildcats to retire, multiple Wildcats decided to enter the transfer portal and go elsewhere.
New Kansas State head coach Collin Klein, in his first head coaching job, was tasked to fill those positions with talent capable of competing in the Big 12, a process that, if done right, can make a good team great.
However, sometimes keeping your current players is the best way to win in college football, and coach Klein was able to do just that and convince quarterback Avery Johnson to stay for his senior season.
Johnson’s coming back brings key experience and leadership to a team with a lot of new players, which could be key next season. Below is a look at some of Johnson’s future teammates in Manhattan, as well as several former teammates who elected to enter the transfer portal.
Who’s in?
Wendell Gregory, DE, Oklahoma State
K-State landing Wendell Gregory was the best win of the offseason for the Wildcats as they got him over teams like Texas, Texas Tech and Missouri. Gregory is the reigning Big 12 freshman of the year, recording four sacks, a forced fumble and 12 tackles for loss.
Gregory is a ferocious pass rusher, and his commitment fills one of the biggest holes on the K-State team. He should be poised for a big season with the Wildcats next year.
Joshua Manning, WR, Missouri
Many K-State fans may remember Joshua Manning from his first recruitment, where he very nearly picked the Wildcats out of high school but elected to go to Missouri instead. Manning is now joining K-State, where he will play with Avery Johnson, with whom he seems to have a strong off-the-field connection.
The Wildcats needed to bring in talented playmakers on the outside, and Manning is just that. While he never had a huge season at Missouri, he saw playing time in all 12 games last year for the Tigers. Playing time will be available for Manning at K-State, and that should help him to have a productive final season.
Jay Harris, RB, Oregon
Jay Harris, similar to Manning, never got the chance to shine at his previous school. Harris was buried in the depth chart, but due to injuries in Oregon’s running back room, he got to start in the college football playoff matchup against Indiana.
Harris performed well in the game, and afterwards, when he decided to enter the portal, K-State was on him quickly. Harris will join Joe Jackson and transfer running back Rodney Fields Jr. in what is now a stable and solid backfield.
Ja’son Prevard, DB, Virginia
Ja’son Prevard was an All-ACC honorable mention corner last season at Virginia and will now bring his talents to K-State for his senior season. Prevard had three interceptions last season to go along with five pass deflections and 24 total tackles.
K-State returns its starting corners from last season, but Prevard will challenge for a starting role. Prevard is lengthy and has good ball tracking skills, allowing him to make plays on the football, and making him attractive to the Wildcats.
Izaiah Williams, WR, Texas A&M
One of the few players Collin Klein brought with him from Texas A&M to K-State was wide receiver Izaiah Williams. Williams was just a freshman last season but recorded seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.
With the Wildcats having open spots at the receiver position, Williams can compete for a starting spot next season. Williams has blazing speed, which will help the K-State offense hit deep shots down the field and make him a key offensive weapon.
Who’s out?
Tobi Osunsanmi, DE, Indiana
Tobi Osunsanmi was having a breakout year for the Wildcats until he needed shoulder surgery, ending his season early. Osunsanmi was the top-rated player lost by K-State in the portal, and his impact will be missed on the defensive line.
Osunsanmi will join the national champion Indiana Hoosiers and will look to display his burst of speed that allowed him to be effective when healthy this past season.
Chiddi Obiazor, DE, Indiana
Chiddi Obiazor has great size and speed that allow him to come off the edge or play inside and attack a guard. Obiazor’s versatility and size allow him to stay on the field in run and pass situations and be effective in both.
Obiazor will join Osunsanmi as Indiana looks to reload their defensive line for another run at a championship. While Obiazor has yet to fully break out, there were flashes of the player he could be, and the Hoosiers will look to maximize his potential.
Jayce Brown, WR, LSU
Jayce Brown had one of the better seasons at wide receiver in recent K-State memory. While there was some talk about going to the NFL draft, Brown decided to enter the transfer portal and go to LSU.
With uncertainty at the wide receiver position for K-State over the years, Jayce Brown was consistent for the Wildcats, getting better each season. Brown has good speed, runs great routes and will be a fan favorite in Baton Rouge, terrorizing the SEC.
Austin Romaine, LB, Texas Tech
Like Brown, Austin Romaine was a three-year starter for the Wildcats, and after a good career, has decided to look elsewhere. Romaine’s sophomore year was his best when he played in 13 games, led the team with 96 tackles and had 7.5 tackles for loss. With a little regression during this season, Romaine played in nine games, only accumulating 66 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
Romaine decided to head to college football playoff participant and Big 12 foe, Texas Tech, for his final season, where he will look to regain his top form at a place that had stellar linebacker play last year.
Dylan Edwards, RB, Kansas
Dylan Edwards was injured in K-State’s first game of last season and missed most of the year before deciding halfway through to redshirt and transfer. Edwards had a quiet recruitment before announcing his plans to transfer to in-state rival, the Kansas Jayhawks.
Edwards has game-breaking speed, and if he can stay healthy, can display that next season at KU. While the Dylan Edwards experiment was disappointing for most fans, Wildcat supporters are surely looking forward to his return to Manhattan next fall.
