Carnell Jackson Jr. arrives in Manhattan as a true freshman with the kind of frame that turns heads before he even takes a snap. The Auburn, Alabama, native is listed at 6-foot-2 and 350 pounds, and Kansas State is bringing him in as a defensive tackle with an eye on the future - and maybe a little patience.
Jackson, who was born Dec. 21, 2007, plans to major in business administration. The expectation is that he redshirts, with the possibility of trimming down some weight along the way. Even so, his size alone gives him a path to help the Wildcats in specific spots, including goal-line defense.
He comes to K-State after playing for head coach Keith Etheredge at Auburn High School, where he was rated the 77th-best defensive lineman in the Class of 2026 and the 28th-best overall prospect in Alabama by 247Sports. As a senior, Jackson posted 36 tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries while helping lead the Tigers to a state semifinal appearance. He also earned a spot in the 2025 Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game last December.
Jackson’s athletic profile stretches beyond football, too. He also competed in track and field and was a three-time state qualifier in the shot put.
Kansas State beat out a long list of suitors for Jackson, including Alabama A&M, Appalachian State, Arkansas, Arkansas State, Auburn, Ball State, East Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Houston, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Liberty, Memphis, Morehouse College, South Florida, Troy, Tulane, UAB, West Virginia and Western Kentucky. He had previously decommitted from Arkansas before landing with the Wildcats.
In Other News...
Kansas State Just Made A Long Debated Stadium Change
Kansas State is making a notable change to the game-day experience at Bill Snyder Family Stadium this fall, opening the door to alcohol sales beyond the old beer garden setup. Beginning Sept. 5, fans at home football games will be able to buy beer, seltzers and canned cocktails as the school continues to adjust to the way college athletics is changing around it.
The move fits a broader shift across the Big 12, where more schools have widened access in the stands and concourses rather than confining it to a designated area. For Kansas State, the decision is about more than convenience. It is also tied to the realities of revenue and the hope that fans will stay engaged longer on Saturdays, even as the details of how the rollout will work continue to matter for the atmosphere inside the stadium. [Read more 🡒]
Collin Klein Still Has One Big Captain Decision Hanging Over Camp
Collin Klein has already seen enough from a couple of Kansas States defensive leaders to know they belong in the conversation, but he is still leaving the formal captaincy call on hold. Wesley Fair and Rex Van Whye have stood out through preseason work for the way they carry themselves, bring energy to the group and set a tone the staff wants to see carry into the season. Both also represented the Wildcats at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, another sign of the trust they have earned inside the program.
The delay is part of Kleins broader approach to camp, with the team planning to wait until training camp is underway before voting on season captains. Fair and Van Whye have been active in player representation meetings and have helped surface issues to the leadership council, which is why their names keep coming up whenever the conversation turns to who the Wildcats want speaking for them. The only real question now is whether their early momentum holds once camp gets deeper and the decision has to be made. [Read more 🡒]