Kansas State Loses Defensive Anchor Tobi Osunsanmi, Adds Four-Star Kicker Dylan Davidson from Portal
The transfer portal has officially made its mark on Kansas State’s offseason. Just days after standout wide receiver Jayce Brown announced his departure, the Wildcats took another hit-this time on the defensive side of the ball. Linebacker Tobi Osunsanmi, who led the team in tackles through the first half of the season, is on his way out.
Osunsanmi made his announcement on Friday, thanking the Kansas State program, his coaches, teammates, and supporters in a heartfelt message. His decision came after what he described as “countless amounts of prayer, reflection, and conversations with family and coaches.”
And there’s no denying the impact he made in Manhattan. Over three seasons with the Wildcats, Osunsanmi steadily grew into one of the team’s most reliable defenders.
In 2025, he was off to a career-best campaign, racking up 20 total tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks in just six games. Unfortunately, his season was cut short following the loss to Baylor-a game that exposed cracks in an already thin defense.
Without Osunsanmi on the field, Kansas State managed to stay afloat, winning four of its final six contests and narrowly avoiding a losing record. But his absence was felt, especially against run-heavy opponents like Texas Tech and Utah, where the Wildcats struggled to generate consistent pressure or plug gaps up front.
Now, the Wildcats face the challenge of replacing a key piece of their defensive front. Osunsanmi brought a mix of speed, physicality, and leadership that’s not easy to replicate. Whether Kansas State looks to the portal or develops talent from within, they’ll need someone to step up in a big way to fill that void.
Special Teams Boost: Wildcats Add Four-Star Kicker Dylan Davidson
While the defense took a hit, Kansas State did get a win on the recruiting front with its first addition from the transfer portal: punter and kicker Dylan Davidson.
Davidson, a former four-star recruit out of Perkins-Tryon High School in Oklahoma, brings a strong leg and a solid résumé. He spent last season at Emporia State, where he punted 61 times for 2,657 yards and earned All-MIAA honors for his performance.
Now, he’s headed to Manhattan with three years of eligibility remaining after redshirting his first season. Davidson announced his commitment on Thursday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and those who helped him along the way.
His arrival fills a need for Kansas State, with current punter Teagan Cobb set to leave the program after entering the portal earlier this month. Davidson had other offers on the table-from Tennessee Tech, UT-Martin, and North Alabama-but ultimately chose the Wildcats.
With head coach Collin Klein preparing for a playoff game at Texas A&M, the timing of this pickup is notable. Even amid postseason prep, the Wildcats are staying aggressive in the portal, looking to reload and retool ahead of 2026.
Davidson may not be the flashiest name, but special teams matter-especially in tight Big 12 matchups where field position can swing a game. If he can bring consistency and field-flipping punts, he’ll be a valuable asset from day one.
What’s Next for the Wildcats?
Losing a defensive cornerstone like Osunsanmi stings, especially so soon after the departure of a top playmaker like Jayce Brown. But the addition of Davidson shows Kansas State isn’t sitting still. Expect more moves in the coming weeks as the Wildcats look to reshape their roster and build toward a stronger 2026 campaign.
In this new era of college football, the portal giveth and the portal taketh away. For Kansas State, the key will be making sure the scales tip in their favor.