Kansas State’s offensive line took a hit in training camp, but the Wildcats may have found a young name to keep an eye on.
With John Pastore and George Fitzpatrick both out for the season, freshman tackle Oliver Miller has moved into the conversation for snaps this year. Offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson said Miller is in the mix, and he made it clear the freshman has already earned attention inside the program.
"Wherever he settles, he's going to be a great player," Gleeson said. "He's going to be a great player from whenever he takes his first snap."
What has stood out most to Gleeson is Miller’s football IQ, which could help him work his way into the “musical chairs” rotation up front while the Wildcats sort through the losses of Pastore and Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick is still working back from a preseason medical emergency that kept him out all of last season, while Pastore went down with a knee injury during camp. Both had been expected to help anchor the line this season.
Miller arrives with a strong résumé. The freshman was a two-year starter at Cherry Creek (Colo.) High School, the same school Fitzpatrick attended, and most scouting services rated him as a top 50 offensive lineman recruit.
Kansas State also got a late boost at tight end, with Elias Wilson choosing to reclassify and join the Wildcats a year earlier than planned. He had been set for the 2027 recruiting class, but now he expects to arrive on campus this week.
"I'm super excited for this next chapter," Wilson posted on his social media account on X. "EMAW!"
At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, Wilson brings athletic upside and a 37-inch vertical leap. He impressed during the summer camp circuit, especially at Florida State, where he drew strong reviews from scouting services in attendance.
He joins a deep tight end room that already includes seven players. Senior Garrett Oakley is expected to be the starter, with five-star recruit Linkon Cure backing him up. Both are expected to be key targets for quarterback Avery Johnson, who is entering his third season as the full-time starter.
In Other News...
Kansas State Defense Has An Early Answer To A Big Concern
One of the early question marks around Kansas States defense has already started to look a little clearer with the return of Jordan Allen. Defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson pointed to the defensive end as a player expected to take on a bigger role this fall, and Allens production last season gave the staff a solid foundation to build on. He finished with 17 tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, while also earning praise for the kind of football intelligence and athletic traits that can make a player more than just a stat line.
Petersons larger plan reflects where the Wildcats are trying to go defensively, with players being cross-trained across multiple positions to help them get ready for the season. In that kind of setup, having a veteran like Allen matters even more because he can help steady a group that is still sorting out roles and responsibilities. The real test will come once the games start, but for now Kansas State at least has an early answer to one concern and a promising piece to build around. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Has A Young Weapon Ready For A Bigger 2026 Role
Linkon Cure arrived at Kansas State with a reputation, and even through injury setbacks last season, the young tight end still managed to get into nine games while starting to show why the staff was so intrigued by him. What stands out now is how much progress he has made since then, both in how he looks physically and in the way he moves around the offense.
Cure has added muscle during the offseason and sharpened the details that matter most for a tight end, with noticeable growth as both a blocker and a receiver. Coaches and staff have been encouraged by his versatility and work ethic, and all of that has put him on a path to a much larger role when the 2026 season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Has A Linebacker Question Fans Need To Watch
Replacing Austin Romaine is one of the quieter but more important jobs on Kansas States defensive checklist this fall, and the Wildcats are leaning on Gabe Powers and Rex Van Wyhe to help answer it. Defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson has already pointed to both linebackers as players who understand the system and bring the kind of work ethic that can keep the defense on track after Romaines move to Texas Tech.
The next few weeks should offer a better read on how quickly that depth chart settles, especially with camp chatter always sharpening once bodies get on the field. There is also a little added roster intrigue on the offensive side, where tight end Elias Wilson has reclassified and is expected on campus soon, giving Kansas State another young piece to monitor as the season draws closer. [Read more 🡒]