Kansas State Adds Two Key Offensive Playmakers as February Signing Period Opens
As the February signing period kicks off, Kansas State football continues to build momentum under new head coach Collin Klein. The Wildcats are set to add two more high school standouts to their 2026 recruiting class - a dynamic wide receiver out of Oklahoma and an in-state tight end with serious upside. These additions bring the total number of high school signees to 22, alongside a staggering 27 transfer portal pickups over the past month.
Let’s break down the two newest Wildcats and what they bring to the table.
Julius Wilson, WR, Owasso (Oklahoma)
Standing at 6-foot-4, Julius Wilson is the kind of outside threat that makes defensive backs uncomfortable before the snap. He had originally committed to Oklahoma State, but after the coaching shakeup in Stillwater - with Mike Gundy out and Chad Morris stepping in - Wilson reopened his recruitment. Kansas State pounced, edging out Oklahoma and others to land the talented wideout.
Wilson's senior season at Owasso High was nothing short of electric. He hauled in 52 passes for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging a strong 17 yards per catch.
That kind of production, coupled with his size and catch radius, gives the Wildcats a vertical threat who can stretch the field and win contested balls. He joins fellow high school receivers Kaprice Keith and Maxwell Lovett in what’s shaping up to be an intriguing young receiver group.
The Wildcats beat out offers from Texas Tech, Tulsa, UAB and Towson to land Wilson, and it’s not hard to see why he was in high demand. He’s a big target with strong hands and the kind of body control that translates well to the college level.
Arley Morrell, TE, Pratt (Kansas)
Kansas State didn’t just go out of state for talent - they locked down one of their own in Arley Morrell, a versatile tight end from Pratt. Initially committed to Iowa State, Morrell became available after Matt Campbell left for Penn State. Once he hit the open market, the Wildcats made their move - and it paid off.
Morrell brings a rare combination of receiving and rushing ability. He caught 36 passes for 504 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior campaign, while also rushing 46 times for 206 yards. That kind of dual-threat production speaks to his athleticism and versatility - two traits that should fit nicely in Klein’s offense.
He’s been recently bumped up to four-star status by Rivals, and his recruitment drew interest from Auburn and Missouri before he ultimately chose to stay in-state. Kansas State gets a tight end who can line up in multiple spots, create mismatches, and contribute early.
The Bigger Picture: A Rebuilt and Recharged Roster
These two additions cap off a whirlwind recruiting and transfer cycle for Kansas State. The Wildcats signed 20 players during December’s early signing period and have now added 27 players from the transfer portal - a clear sign that Klein and his staff are aggressively reshaping the roster.
Here’s a look at the full list of high school signees:
- **Dejon Ackerson Jr. **, LB - Putnam City (OK)
- Tucker Ashford, DE - Fort Worth Christian (TX)
- Lamarcus Barber, OL - Mill Valley
- Adrian Bekibele, DT - RIG Academy (Sweden)
- Keegan Collins, OL - West Plains (TX)
- Garrick Dixon, DB - Fort Zumwalt West (MO)
- Sam Dolphens, LS - La Vista South (NE)
- Bennett Fraser, OL - Kirksville (MO)
- Kingston Hall, DT - Tahlequah (OK)
- **Carnell Jackson Jr. **, DT - Auburn (AL)
- Kaprice Keith, WR - Omaha Central (NE)
- Maxwell Lovett, WR - Cherry Creek (CO)
- Nick McClellan, S - Christian Brothers (MO)
- Lawson McGraw, ATH - Blue Valley West
- Oliver Miller, OL - Cherry Creek (CO)
- Josiah Vilmael, DB - Fort Bend Travis (TX)
- Tanner West, RB - Jordan (TX)
- **Michael Graham Jr.
**, S - Hutchinson CC
- Jordan Jensen, OL - Iowa Central CC
- **Derrick Salley Jr. **, DL - Hutchinson CC
And the transfer portal haul is just as robust, featuring a mix of Power Five talent and Group of Five standouts:
- Charlie Adams, OL - Cal Poly
- Koy Beasley, DB - Miami (OH)
- Makari Bodiford, RB - Memphis
- Jayden Bryant, DE - Coastal Carolina
- Kamari Burns, DT - Cincinnati
- Dylan Davidson, P - Emporia State
- Chase Duarte, OL - San Diego State
- Jaxson Duffield, LS - Oklahoma State
- **Rodney Fields Jr. **, RB - Oklahoma State
- Wendell Gregory, DE - Oklahoma State
- Robert Hammond III, K - Toledo
- Jay Harris, RB - Oregon
- De’Arieun Hicks, DT - Gardner-Webb
- Elijah Hill, DE - Kennesaw State
- Tyler Johnson, OL - Auburn
- Keiton Jones, OL - Missouri
- Adrian Maddox, DB - Georgia
- Josh Manning, WR - Missouri
- Mekhi Mason, LB - Louisiana Tech
- Tanner Morley, OL - Colorado State
- Delvin Morris, OL - Akron
- **Jacobi Oliphant Jr. **, LB - Oklahoma State
- Kaleb Patterson, DB - Illinois
- Ja'Son Prevard, DB - Virginia
- Austin Ramsey, DT - Kentucky
- Brandon White, WR - Hawaii
- Izaiah Williams, WR - Texas A&M
What It All Means
Kansas State is clearly not easing into the Collin Klein era - they’re hitting the gas. With a blend of high-upside high school talent and proven college players from across the country, the Wildcats are building a roster that’s deeper, faster, and more versatile than it was just a few months ago.
Add in the fact that they’re winning battles against programs like Oklahoma, Auburn, and Missouri, and it’s clear that Klein and his staff are making waves on the recruiting trail. The pieces are coming together - now it’s about development, cohesion, and turning this influx of talent into wins on the field.