Wendell Gregory Jr. arrived at Kansas State carrying plenty of buzz, and through the first stretch of training camp, he’s backed it up.
The defensive end transferred in after one season at Oklahoma State, and the Wildcats’ staff is already talking about him like a player who can change the tone of the defense. Defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson said Gregory has not only adjusted quickly, but has also raised the standard with the way he works.
"He's put on some weight over the course of the summer," Peterson said. "He's a lot more comfortable with the scheme and what we're asking him to do, and I think that he is one of those guys that can kind of be a natural leader just because of what he puts on tape and what he does every day.
I could have pulled 15 or 20 plays from the last four or five days of practice of a level of strain that is the standard for our defense. So, he's continued to grow, continued to do the things that we're asking him to do, and - to be honest - and then some."
That kind of praise fits the profile Gregory brought with him. He was one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal this offseason after earning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors for the Cowboys. He also landed third-team All-Conference recognition after posting 27 tackles, 12 for loss, four sacks and a forced fumble.
Kansas State expects him to step in right away, and his arrival should help offset the loss of linebacker Austin Romaine, who transferred to play for the Texas Red Raiders.
There’s more on the line for the Wildcats than just filling a roster spot. The hope is Gregory grows into an all-conference defender and helps push Kansas State into Big 12 contention after a 6-6 season last year.
That disappointing finish led to coach Chris Klieman resigning at the end of the season. Collin Klein took over after spending the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Texas A & M Aggies. Klein, a former star quarterback at Kansas State in the early 2010s, is now trying to guide the program back toward national relevance.
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Kansas State Still Has One Important QB Battle To Settle
Avery Johnson gives Kansas State clarity at the top of the quarterback depth chart, but the Wildcats still have one of camps more meaningful jobs to sort out behind him. Offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson has described the competition for the backup spot as healthy and competitive, with Jacob Knuth, Blake Barnett and Dillon Duff all in the mix as the staff continues to evaluate who fits best in the role.
For a team trying to protect itself against the unpredictability of a season, that second quarterback job matters more than it might seem on the surface. Kansas State is also still in the thick of another important off-field pursuit, as the program remains a finalist for four-star prospect Malik Olajuwon, the son of NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, adding another layer of anticipation around a program with plenty of moving parts. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State May Have Another Local DB Worth Watching
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He arrived in Manhattan with plenty of recruiting buzz, earning a strong reputation out of high school for his speed and track success while drawing interest from several other schools before choosing Kansas State. That kind of athletic profile is part of why his name stands out even before he has a chance to make a real impact on Saturdays. The Wildcats do not need to rush him, but if Collins development matches the promise that followed him out of Kansas City, he could become another local defensive back who ends up helping this roster in a meaningful way. [Read more 🡒]
Koy Beasley Is Giving Kansas State Fans Real Hope In The Secondary
Koy Beasley arrived at Kansas State with some experience already banked from stops at Purdue and Miami of Ohio, but the real impression has come from what he has shown since getting to Manhattan. Defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson said Beasley has made significant progress through spring practices and training camp, and that kind of climb matters for a Wildcats secondary looking for stability and confidence.
Beasleys rise has put him right in the mix for a spot in the rotation, and possibly more if the momentum keeps building. For Kansas State, the appeal is obvious: a veteran safety who has adapted quickly and is beginning to look like a leader in the back end, with the next step still to be earned once the season starts to unfold. [Read more 🡒]