As the first transfer portal window closed on Friday, Kansas State made sure to squeeze in one last addition - and it’s a move that could help unlock even more of Avery Johnson’s potential at quarterback. The Wildcats landed wide receiver Brandon White, a speedster out of Hawai'i who clocked a blazing 4.28 in the 40-yard dash. That kind of burst doesn’t just show up on a stopwatch - it shows up on Saturdays.
White hauled in 38 catches for 399 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Rainbow Warriors. He’s not just fast - he’s agile, shifty, and built to stretch defenses. With Kansas State looking to replace the production of star receiver Jayce Brown, White arrives with an opportunity to make an immediate impact in the Wildcats’ aerial attack.
But White is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Kansas State was aggressive in the portal this cycle, bringing in a wide-ranging group of transfers to bolster both sides of the ball. Here’s a breakdown of the full haul - a mix of high-upside playmakers, experienced depth, and a few names who could become difference-makers in Manhattan.
Offensive Line Reinforcements
Kansas State clearly made the trenches a priority, bringing in multiple offensive linemen:
- Chase Duarte (San Diego State),
- Tanner Morley (Colorado State),
- Delvin Morris (Akron),
- Charlie Adams III (Cal Poly),
- Keiton Jones (Missouri).
None of these linemen come in with 2025 stats available, but the volume speaks to the Wildcats’ intent: create depth, foster competition, and protect their young quarterback. Duarte and Jones, in particular, bring size and experience from FBS programs that could translate into early playing time.
Defensive Front Seven Upgrades
On defense, the Wildcats added several players who can get after the quarterback or clog up running lanes:
- Elijah Hill (Kennesaw State): 22 tackles, 9 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss. That’s production you can’t ignore, even at the FCS level. Hill brings juice off the edge.
- Wendell Gregory (Oklahoma State): 27 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4 sacks - another disruptive force who knows how to live in the backfield.
- Kamari Burns (Cincinnati), Austin Ramsey (Kentucky), and De'Arieun Hicks (Gardner-Webb) round out the additions on the defensive line. Ramsey and Hicks add interior size, while Burns offers rotational depth.
- Jacobi Oliphant (Oklahoma State) and Mekhi Mason (Louisiana Tech) join the linebacker corps. Mason, in particular, jumps off the stat sheet with 68 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks last season - he’s a tackling machine who plays downhill.
- Jayden Bryant (Coastal Carolina) adds another edge presence, with 4.5 TFLs and 2 sacks in 2025.
Secondary Gets a Boost
Kansas State also addressed the back end of the defense with several additions:
- Adrian Maddox (Georgia): While he only logged four tackles last season, he comes from an elite SEC program. Sometimes, raw reps don’t tell the whole story.
- Koy Beasley (Miami OH): 40 tackles, six pass deflections, and one interception. He’s a rangy safety who can patrol the middle.
- Ja’Son Prevard (Virginia): 24 tackles, three interceptions, five pass breakups - a ballhawk who brings ACC experience.
- Kaleb Patterson (Illinois): 47 tackles, four pass breakups, one forced fumble. He’s a physical corner who isn’t afraid to get involved in run support.
Offensive Skill Positions: Speed and Versatility
Beyond Brandon White, Kansas State added more weapons to the offensive arsenal:
- Josh Manning (Missouri): 29 receptions, 318 yards, two touchdowns. A steady contributor who could find a bigger role in K-State’s system.
- Izaiah Williams (Texas A&M): Limited production with seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, but he’s another athletic option who could benefit from a change of scenery.
- Jay Harris (Oregon): 42 carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns, plus six catches for 89 yards and a score. He’s a dual-threat back who adds versatility.
- Rodney Fields Jr. (Oklahoma State): 124 carries for 614 yards and a touchdown, along with 28 receptions for 276 yards and another score. That’s real production in the Big 12 - Fields could be a plug-and-play option in the backfield.
Special Teams and Depth
- Jaxson Duffield (Oklahoma State): A long snapper addition, which may not make headlines but is vital for consistency on special teams.
What It All Means
This portal class is about more than just plugging holes - it’s about building a roster that can compete at the top of the Big 12. The Wildcats are surrounding Avery Johnson with more speed and skill on offense, while simultaneously adding depth and playmaking potential across the defense.
There are no guarantees in the transfer portal era, but Kansas State has positioned itself well. With a mix of proven producers, high-upside transfers, and battle-tested veterans from Power Five and Group of Five programs, the Wildcats are reloading with intent. And if even a few of these pieces hit, Kansas State could be a team to watch come fall.