When Kansas State sends players to the NFL Combine, it turns heads-for good reason. The Wildcats may not be a perennial NFL factory like some of the blue bloods, but when talent rises in Manhattan, it tends to come with grit, polish, and a chip on its shoulder. This year, two names from K-State are making noise: offensive lineman Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne, both fresh off impressive showings at the Senior Bowl and now heading to the NFL Combine later this month.
Let’s start in the trenches with Hecht, who’s been the definition of durable and dependable. The 6-foot-5 lineman started 25 straight games for the Wildcats, anchoring the offensive front through two strong seasons.
He earned All-Big 12 honors in both-second-team in 2024 and first-team in 2025-and even picked up an honorable mention for the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award last season. That kind of résumé doesn’t go unnoticed, and after a solid week in Mobile, Hecht has likely cemented himself as a Day 2 pick in April’s draft.
Scouts love consistency, and Hecht brought it in spades during Senior Bowl practices. According to on-site evaluations, he was the most steady performer among all offensive linemen throughout the week.
That’s not just hype-it’s confirmation of what he put on tape during his time at Kansas State. Hecht’s ability to mirror pass rushers and maintain leverage in one-on-one drills stood out, and it reinforced what coaches already knew: this is a guy who can step in and handle NFL-level competition.
His 2025 season was a mixed bag for the Wildcats’ offensive line. While the unit held up well in pass protection-keeping young quarterback Avery Johnson upright more often than not-the run game struggled to find its rhythm.
Part of that can be chalked up to a rotating backfield after Dylan Edwards went down early in the season, throwing off the timing and cohesion needed for a consistent ground attack. Still, Hecht was a stabilizing force up front, and evaluators took notice.
Then there’s VJ Payne, the veteran safety who’s been a steady presence in Kansas State’s secondary for four years. He’s not the biggest name in the draft pool, but Payne’s production and leadership speak volumes. With 196 career tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass breakups, and 10.5 tackles for loss, he’s done a little bit of everything-and done it well.
Former head coach Chris Klieman didn’t hold back in his praise. Heading into Payne’s final season, Klieman called him the “unquestioned leader” of the secondary.
That leadership wasn’t just talk-Payne was one of the few remaining players from the 2022 Big 12 Championship team, and he’s been a mainstay ever since. A three-year starter who knows how to command a defense, he brought both vocal leadership and physical play to the back end.
Payne may not be popping up in many early-round mock drafts, but the Senior Bowl was a big opportunity-and he made the most of it. His instincts, range, and ability to diagnose plays in real time were on full display, helping him stand out in a crowded group of defensive backs. For a player who’s been more of a steady riser than a headline grabber, it was exactly the kind of performance that can shift draft boards.
Kansas State’s recent track record in the NFL Draft has been trending upward. In the last few years, names like Felix Anudike-Uzomah (now with the Chiefs) and Jacob Parrish (with the Buccaneers) have made the jump from Manhattan to the pros. Hecht and Payne look poised to continue that trend-and their journeys through the Senior Bowl and the upcoming Combine could be the final push they need to hear their names called in Pittsburgh this April.
For a program that prides itself on development and toughness, these two prospects embody everything Kansas State football is about. They may not have started the year as household names, but come draft weekend, don’t be surprised if they’re the next Wildcats to make a name for themselves on Sundays.