The Kansas State defense just took another hit - and it’s a big one in more ways than one.
Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, the 6-foot-6, 305-pound defensive tackle who emerged as a key piece of the Wildcats’ front line in 2025, is heading into the transfer portal on January 2. It’s a significant loss for a unit already dealing with a wave of departures this offseason.
Alcorn-Crowder’s journey to Manhattan started at Butler Community College, but in 2025, he made his mark in a big way. After seeing limited action in 2024 - just two games - he stepped into a starting role this past season and quickly became one of the most impactful players on the defensive line. His stat line may not jump off the page - 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks - but the tape tells a fuller story.
He was disruptive. He was consistent.
And according to Pro Football Focus, he graded out as the best defensive lineman on the team. That’s not a title handed out lightly, especially in a conference where trench play often decides games.
His 15 quarterback hurries speak to the kind of interior pressure he brought - the kind that doesn’t always show up in the box score but makes life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
Now, Kansas State has to figure out how to replace him - and he’s not the only one walking out the door. Alcorn-Crowder joins a growing list of defensive standouts set to leave the program, including linebackers Austin Romaine and Tobi Osunsanmi, edge rusher Ryan Davis, and defensive backs Qua Moss and Donovan McIntosh.
That’s a lot of production, leadership, and experience heading out all at once. And while the transfer portal era has made roster turnover a year-round reality, this particular stretch feels especially heavy for the Wildcats’ defense.
The challenge now? Rebuild the core of a defense that, at times in 2025, showed flashes of real potential.
Losing your top-graded lineman doesn’t make that task any easier. But it’s the new normal in college football - adapt or fall behind.
For Alcorn-Crowder, the next step is finding the right fit to continue his rise. For Kansas State, it’s about finding the next man up - and fast.