Kansas State’s rough stretch on the field didn’t keep the recruiting weekend from landing well.
The Wildcats lost 66-28 to Oklahoma State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and slipped to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12 conference, but several visitors still walked away with a positive view of the program and Collin Klein’s staff. That came after Kansas State took a recruiting blow Monday morning when three-star defensive lineman Finn Walker backed out of his commitment.
Even with that setback, the weekend brought a handful of prospects to Manhattan, and the early read was encouraging.
Terrence Curry Jr. was among the visitors who came away impressed. The St.
Charles, Mo., athlete, who plays at Orchard Farm, is 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds and is part of the 2029 class. He already holds offers from Miami and Boston College.
Owen Bauer also made the trip in from St. Paul, Minn. The Eastview High School standout is a 6-8, 315-pound lineman in the 2028 class, and his offer list includes Indiana, Iowa State, Northwestern and Minnesota.
Another lineman in attendance was Charles Booker of Roselle, Ill. Booker, a Lake Park High School standout and member of the 2028 class, checks in at 6-7 and 295 pounds. Kansas State is his only offer so far.
Sal Gianino, a junior at Eureka High School in Missouri, was also on campus. He is in the 2028 class, is just beginning to draw college attention, and also stands out as a baseball player.
Lincoln Maggard brought more size to the visitor list. The Tucson, Ariz., defensive lineman is 6-7 and 285 pounds, already has college-ready frame, and has offers from UNLV and San Diego State.
Tyson Hooks rounded out the group. The 2028 running back from DePaul College Prep in the Chicago area is still early in the process and is just starting to show up on recruiting boards for most programs.
Overall, the visitors appeared to leave with a good feel for Klein and the staff. Kansas State’s struggles may cost them some recruits, but the bigger picture is still about finding players who want to come to Manhattan rather than chasing those who would rather go elsewhere.
Even with the recent hit, the Wildcats are building a strong 2027 class while also setting a foundation for 2028, 2029 and beyond. That kind of forward progress is what the administration and the fan base want to see.
In Other News...
Kansas State Suddenly Has A Bigger Problem Than Just One Loss
Kansas States rough afternoon in Stillwater did more than add another mark to the loss column. The Wildcats were beaten 66-28 by Oklahoma State, a result that stretched their slide to three straight defeats and suddenly made bowl eligibility a real concern rather than a distant annoyance. For a program that expected to be in the thick of the Big 12 race, the setback was jarring enough that head coach Collin Klein called it one of the worst games he has experienced.
The damage was spread across both sides of the ball, and Oklahoma State made sure there was no soft landing. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker picked apart the Wildcats with 22 completions in 28 attempts for 313 yards and four touchdowns, while Kansas States offense and defense both drew failing grades in the postgame analysis. With the season now at a crossroads, the bigger issue is no longer just one ugly loss, but how quickly the Wildcats can stop the skid before it swallows the rest of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas States Slide Puts Collin Klein Under A Tougher Spotlight
Kansas States latest loss to Oklahoma State left the Wildcats at 4-5 overall and 1-5 in the Big 12, a slide that has only sharpened the scrutiny on first-year coach Collin Klein. With the season moving deeper into November and the margin for recovery shrinking, the conversation around the program has shifted from early growing pains to a more urgent question about how quickly the staff can stabilize things.
Klein has taken responsibility for the struggles and said the coaching staff needs to do a better job putting players in position to succeed, a message that carries extra weight given the injuries that have hit the roster. Season-ending losses along the offensive line and at quarterback have made the task tougher, and now the Wildcats are trying to navigate the rest of the year while also sorting out what this stretch says about the direction of the program. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Still Has No Answer At QB After Another Loss
Kansas States quarterback situation has turned into a week-to-week puzzle, and the latest loss only added to the uncertainty. The Wildcats have now gone through four different starters in their last four games, a stretch that has helped fuel a three-game losing streak and forced the staff to keep searching for something stable under center.
After the setback against Oklahoma State, Collin Klein said Dillon Duff and Blake Barnett both were evaluated and will keep getting chances as the staff looks for the right fit. Avery Johnson, who had been the steady presence earlier in the season, remains sidelined and is unlikely to return this year, though there is at least a possibility he could explore a fifth season of eligibility under the new NCAA rules. [Read more 🡒]