Kansas State is hitting the reset button after a rough 2025 campaign, and one of the more intriguing moves in that process is the addition of freshman edge rusher Wendell Gregory - a transfer from Oklahoma State who’s already turning heads.
Gregory isn’t just another name in the portal shuffle. He’s coming off a breakout season with the Cowboys, where he racked up 27 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and four sacks.
That performance earned him Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors - and a spot at No. 51 on ESPN’s list of the top 100 most impactful transfer players. In other words, this isn’t just a depth piece.
This is a potential cornerstone for a defense that badly needs one.
Kansas State’s defense took some serious hits this offseason, most notably on the edge. Tobi Osunsanmi, one of the Wildcats’ top playmakers up front, transferred to Indiana.
Austin Romaine is gone too. That left a glaring hole in the pass rush - and a clear need for someone who can disrupt plays in the backfield.
Gregory fits that mold.
He’s a high-motor, high-upside edge presence who was linked to several Power Five programs during his transfer process - Texas Tech, Missouri, and even Texas were reportedly in the mix. But in the end, he stayed in the Big 12, choosing a Kansas State team that’s looking for more than just a spark. They need a tone-setter.
Now, it’s fair to note that this will be Gregory’s third program in as many years. That kind of movement can raise eyebrows.
But the tape shows a player with the raw tools to be a game-wrecker. He plays with a relentless energy - sometimes too much, as he still needs to polish his technique, especially against the run.
But when he gets going downhill, he’s a problem. Fast off the edge, disruptive in the backfield, and capable of blowing up plays before they even start.
At Oklahoma State, Gregory led the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and quarterback hits. That’s not easy to do as a freshman, especially on a team that struggled to find consistency. He was one of the few bright spots on that defense, and now he’s stepping into a Wildcats scheme that should allow him to pin his ears back and go.
Kansas State’s run defense, in particular, needs the help. They were gashed too often last season, and while Gregory is more known for his pass-rushing prowess, his development against the run will be key. If he can round out his game, he’s got the potential to be one of the most impactful defenders in the Big 12 - again.
The Wildcats’ offseason losses weren’t limited to the defensive line. Wide receiver Jayce Brown, another top talent, transferred to LSU.
But it’s the defensive departures that sting the most. Osunsanmi, before his season was cut short by injury, was on pace for a career year.
He had six tackles for loss and four sacks before going down - both team highs at the time. Losing him midseason was a gut punch for a defense already struggling to find its footing.
That’s why Gregory’s arrival matters. He’s not just filling a roster spot.
He’s stepping into a role that desperately needs a playmaker. Kansas State is betting big on his upside - and if he delivers, this could be one of the more underrated transfer pickups in the conference.
There’s work to be done in Manhattan. But with Gregory on board, the Wildcats have a building block for their defensive rebuild - and maybe, just maybe, a star in the making.