Jacobi Oliphant Jr. is expected to be part of Kansas State’s linebacker mix this season, and the former Oklahoma State transfer already showed last year that he can contribute in more than one phase of the game.
Oliphant, who goes by “DINO” and was born March 14, 2006, is majoring in psychology. He appeared in all 12 games last season with two starts, putting up 26 tackles, two sacks and a pass breakup across 136 defensive snaps. He also logged 135 special teams snaps, giving K-State value beyond the linebacker room.
His production came in spurts, but there was plenty of it. Oliphant matched a career high with four tackles against Baylor and Houston, added three tackles apiece against Arizona, UCF and Iowa State, and collected sacks against Arizona and Iowa State. He also broke up a pass against Baylor.
He got on the field in a limited special teams role against Texas Tech in 2024, playing five snaps and recording a tackle on kickoff coverage while retaining his redshirt.
Before arriving in Manhattan, Oliphant spent time in Stillwater alongside other current K-State faces, including long snapper Jaxson Duffield, defensive end Wendell Gregory and running back Rodney Fields Jr. He originally signed with Oklahoma State over offers from Alabama A&M, Arkansas State, Ball State, Boston College, Colorado State, Lindenwood, Miami (Ohio), Missouri State, Ohio, UConn and Wyoming, while also drawing recruiting interest from Arkansas, Iowa, K-State, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee. His primary recruiter at OSU was current K-State running backs coach Cory Patterson.
Oliphant’s path to linebacker started at St. Louis (Mo.)
University High School, where he played defensive back under head coach Adam Cruz. ESPN ranked him the 79th-best cornerback in the Class of 2024, while Rivals had him at No.
- He finished his high school career with 211 tackles, four sacks, five fumble recoveries and five interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
His senior season was especially productive: 86 tackles, three sacks, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, four fumble recoveries and two kickoff return touchdowns, good for all-district honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association. As a junior, he posted 51 tackles and four interceptions and earned all-conference recognition. He also totaled 105 receiving yards and 411 kickoff return yards in his career and ran track, collecting eight all-state honors.
Football runs in the family, too. Oliphant’s grandfather, Kevin Hagens, played at both Drake and Missouri.
In Other News...
Chris Klieman Revealed Why Collin Klein Made Sense For Kansas State
Collin Kleins return to Manhattan as Kansas States offensive coordinator did not happen by accident, and Chris Klieman made clear there was a natural fit behind it. The two had built a longstanding relationship, and Klieman said the timing lined up once he had decided to step down, opening the door for a conversation that had real momentum behind it. From his perspective, Klein brought the kind of familiarity and credibility that made the move make sense for the program.
Klieman also framed the transition as one built on support rather than overreach, which matters in a spot as important as offensive coordinator. He said he intends to be available as an advisory presence for Klein, serving as a sounding board and offering administrative help as needed. For Kansas State, the interesting part now is how that partnership settles in and how much of the Wildcats next offensive identity will be shaped by a familiar hand back in the building. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Is Already Chasing The Next Big In-State Core
Kansas States recruiting momentum is already rolling into the next cycle, with Collin Klein and the Wildcats staff turning attention toward the 2028 class even after landing a strong 2027 group that already sits at 27 commitments. The early emphasis is familiar for this program: build from home first, identify the best in-state talent, and keep the pipeline steady before the 2026 season even arrives.
The quarterback board is part of that early groundwork, with Titus Huard and Cannon Zubeck among the names drawing attention as Kansas State shapes what it hopes will become the next key in-state core. For a staff trying to stay ahead of the curve, the challenge is less about finding interest and more about holding it long enough to turn an early list of targets into another class that fits the Wildcats long-term plan. [Read more 🡒]
Avery Johnson And Collin Klein Could Change Kansas State's Ceiling
Collin Kleins return to Kansas State has added a familiar face to the middle of a transition, and maybe the one relationship that matters most in the building right now is the one he already had with Avery Johnson. Klein recruited Johnson before leaving for two seasons as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, and now the first-year Wildcats coach is back in Manhattan trying to steer the program after Chris Kliemans resignation. For a team picked to finish eighth in the Big 12, the pairing at least gives Kansas State a clear place to start.
What makes the setup interesting is how much of the Wildcats ceiling may depend on whether that connection translates from trust to production. Johnson has already worked with Klein in the past, and Klein knows what he saw in him during the recruiting process, which gives this staff a chance to build around a quarterback-coach relationship that does not need much introduction. The prediction outside the program may be modest, but Kansas State is counting on familiarity to help it climb above it. [Read more 🡒]