Kansas State fans had a reason to smile this weekend, and it came from a former Wildcat making his first mark in the NFL.
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens found the end zone for the first time in his pro career during Saturday’s preseason game against the Detroit Lions. He needed only two carries to do it, and the touchdown was enough to get his teammates celebrating right alongside him.
Giddens arrived in Indianapolis as a fifth-round pick in the 2025 Draft after a standout career at Kansas State. In Manhattan, he piled up 3,087 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground, while also adding 58 catches for 679 yards and four more scores.
His pro path has been slower so far, though. He has spent much of his time learning behind All-Pro back Jonathan Taylor, and last season he finished with 26 rushes for 96 yards.
That gap has been obvious for the Colts. Taylor once again powered the rushing attack, leading the league with 323 carries and 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Daniel Jones was next on the team in rushing yards with 164 and five scores, while Giddens ranked second among running backs despite finishing with fewer than 100 yards.
The Colts brought Giddens in hoping he could ease some of the load on Taylor, and moments like this at least hint at what that might eventually look like. Taylor’s recent injury history has only reinforced the need for more help in the backfield, and Giddens’ college film showed a runner with size and a knack for protecting the football.
Back at Kansas State, the search for the next featured back continues. Dylan Edwards was expected to be the next man up, but he was injured in Week 0 against Iowa State and never returned. That has opened the door for Joe Jackson, who closed last season with a huge surge, piling up 435 yards and six touchdowns over the final two games alone.
That kind of production is hard to sustain over a full season, but Kansas State is encouraged by what Jackson already showed. With football at Kansas State set to kick off in a week, the Wildcats are still looking for the next back to carry that tradition forward.
In Other News...
Kansas State May Have Found A Transfer Receiver Ready For Much More
Kansas State has spent the early part of the season trying to sort out where the next reliable target in its passing game might come from, and Joshua Manning has started to make a case for himself. The Missouri transfer arrived with two years of eligibility remaining under the 5-for-5 rule, and since joining the Wildcats he has already gotten into multiple games, putting together a mix of catches and kickoff returns that suggests there may be more here than just depth.
Mannings background only adds to the intrigue. He comes with a strong high school and college resume, along with a family history rooted in football, and Kansas State has already seen signs of growth since he got on campus. For a receiver room still taking shape, the question now is whether those early flashes are the beginning of a much larger role. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Suddenly Has A Week 1 Problem Up Front
Kansas States offensive line picture has gotten a lot murkier at exactly the wrong time, with injuries forcing the staff to reshuffle the left side before the season opener. John Pastore and Oliver Miller are among the players dealing with health issues, and that has pushed junior Ryan Howard into the expected starting role at left tackle, with Tyler Johnson next in line if needed.
The questions do not stop there, either. Left guard could also be in flux if Tanner Morley is unavailable, which would leave Charlie Adams as a candidate to step in and keep the front five intact. Collin Klein has already acknowledged the adjustments and praised the way the group has handled the changes, but for Kansas State the real test comes when the lights come on and the opener finally arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Has A New Defensive Contender Fans Should Watch Closely
Kansas States secondary has a new name worth tracking as fall camp unfolds in Manhattan. Micheal Graham Jr., a JUCO defensive back from Hutch Community College, arrives with three years of eligibility left and the kind of background that tends to catch coaches attention, especially after earning multiple junior college accolades and drawing interest from several programs before choosing the Wildcats. He is in the mix for the versatile JACK safety-nickelback-STAR role, a spot that asks for range, toughness and enough football IQ to handle plenty of different assignments.
Collin Klein has already pointed to Grahams progress, saying the defensive back has made strides in coverage and communication as he pushes for playing time. That combination matters in a defense where the JACK spot can become a key chess piece, and Kansas State will keep watching to see whether Grahams JUCO reputation translates quickly enough to the Big 12 level. For now, hes one of the more intriguing competition stories on the roster, and the kind of player whose role could grow faster than expected if the early signs keep holding up. [Read more 🡒]