Kansas State is building something intriguing with its 2026 recruiting class, and the latest piece of that puzzle is a versatile in-state talent who’s been making noise on both sides of the ball.
Meet Arley Morrell, a three-star tight end and edge rusher out of Pratt High School in Pratt, Kansas. If you're looking for a player who checks multiple boxes, Morrell fits the bill.
Over the past two seasons, he’s been a stat sheet stuffer: 58 catches for 963 yards and 11 touchdowns as a pass catcher, plus 334 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground. That’s not just versatility-that’s production.
And it doesn’t stop there. Flip to the defensive side, and Morrell’s impact is just as impressive.
He’s racked up 137 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, and 14 pass breakups. That kind of two-way dominance isn’t something you see every day, especially at the high school level.
On Monday night, Morrell made it official with a tweet that read: *“3rd time’s a charm? Staying home!
100% COMMITTED.” * With that, Kansas State locked in another key in-state recruit-and there’s a lot to like about what he brings to the table.
Could he end up lining up next to linebacker Austin Romaine on defense? Maybe.
Could he catch passes from Avery Johnson or even take a snap or two in a trick play package? Also possible.
With his rushing numbers and athleticism, don’t be shocked if the Wildcats find creative ways to get the ball in his hands.
Morrell had offers from Oregon State, Arizona, and Iowa State, and was previously committed to the Cyclones. But after Matt Campbell left Ames for Penn State, Morrell flipped and decided to stay home. He becomes the second commitment since Collin Klein took over as head coach, joining fellow three-star Josiah Vilmael, a cornerback with upside.
Austin Romaine: NFL Buzz Building in Manhattan
While the future is coming together with recruits like Morrell, Kansas State fans have plenty to be excited about in the present-especially when it comes to linebacker Austin Romaine, who’s starting to hear his name in NFL draft conversations.
Romaine has quietly built a strong résumé in Manhattan since arriving as a three-star recruit in the 2023 class. He saw the field as a true freshman, made a splash in 2024, and followed that up with a rock-solid junior campaign.
Now, national outlets are taking notice. Bleacher Report recently highlighted Romaine as a potential draft pick, citing his physicality, instincts, and ability to shed or slip blocks with smart lateral movement.
The scouting report? He looks like an NFL linebacker and plays like one too-especially against the run. And while his top-end speed might not blow anyone away, his ability to read plays and react quickly has kept him in the middle of the action.
This season, Romaine was the Wildcats’ leading tackler for most of the year before Desmond Purnell edged him out in the Colorado game. Still, his numbers speak for themselves: 66 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, and two pass breakups. He’s been the heartbeat of the defense, and his leadership in the middle has been a constant.
For a program that doesn’t churn out NFL talent every year, Romaine’s rise is significant. He’s not just a standout for Kansas State-he’s a player who could represent the program on Sundays in the near future.
So between a potential pro in Romaine and a do-it-all recruit like Morrell, the Wildcats are balancing the now and the next. And under Collin Klein, the foundation is starting to look a lot more like a launchpad.