The offseason is always a time for transformation, and at Kansas State, the 2026 roster is already showing signs of a program evolving under new leadership. With Chris Klieman stepping away and Collin Klein stepping in, the Wildcats are entering a new era-and that transition is showing up not just in the coaching offices, but on the scale and tape measure, too.
The first round of updated heights and weights has dropped, straight from the official K-State roster as of January 26. While another update is expected this summer once the full roster is finalized, this early look gives us a glimpse into how the program is shaping its identity-literally.
Let’s break it down: who bulked up, who slimmed down, and where the freshman class is already making its presence felt.
Big Weight Gainers: Building a More Physical Identity
The most noticeable trend? Size. And lots of it.
Defensive end Dalton Knapp and kicker Luis Rodriguez each packed on 16 pounds. That’s a big jump, especially for Rodriguez, where added lower-body strength could mean more distance and consistency on kicks. For Knapp, the added muscle is a clear sign he’s being prepped for more trench warfare on the edge.
Safety Dominic Mitchell added 14 pounds-an eye-opener for a position that often walks the line between speed and physicality. That kind of gain suggests he’s being groomed for a hybrid role, possibly playing closer to the box and helping in run support.
On the offensive line, Brock Heath and Dylan Villarouel each added 13 pounds. That’s steady, intentional growth-just enough to anchor better in pass protection and move defenders in the run game without sacrificing mobility.
Other notable gains:
- S Jace Adler (+12): Another safety getting bigger. This is starting to look like a theme.
- DE Travis Bates (+9): Quietly becoming a more physically imposing presence.
- TE Will Anciaux (+7): More size at tight end means more versatility-blocking and route running.
- LB Ashton Moore (+7), LB Gabe Powers (+5): Linebackers bulking up to hold their ground against the run.
- WR Justin Stephens (+5): Enough to handle contact without slowing him down.
- DT Holden Bass, DB Brad Stanyer, CB Serious Stinyard (+4): Subtle but meaningful gains across the board.
- OL Kyle Rakers, CB JoJo Scott, LB Rex Van Wyhe (+3): More depth players making physical strides.
- LB Darien Whitaker Jr. (+2): Every pound counts at linebacker.
This isn’t random. There’s a pattern here.
Defensive ends, safeties, and linebackers are adding mass, and that points to a defense that wants to hit harder, tackle better, and hold up in the trenches. It’s a blueprint for physicality-one that fits the Big 12’s evolving identity.
Big Weight Losers: Trimming Down for Speed and Agility
On the flip side, some Wildcats went the other way-and just as intentionally.
OL George Fitzpatrick leads the group with a 15-pound drop. He didn’t see the field last season, but this change could be about increasing foot speed and improving conditioning, especially if he’s being considered for a more agile blocking scheme.
LB Asa Newsom (-8) and OL Michael Capria (-7) also slimmed down. For Newsom, it could mean more sideline-to-sideline speed. For Capria, better movement in space.
Other notable changes:
- S Jet Dineen, CB Donovan McIntosh (-7): Defensive backs shaving weight to keep up with faster receivers.
- K Cub Patton (-6): Trimming down to improve flexibility and consistency in his kicking motion.
- QB Blake Barnett (-5): Possibly looking to be more mobile in the pocket.
- S Mikey Bergeron, RB Joe Jackson, WR Ben Wheeler (-5): All skill players, all likely aiming for more burst and agility.
- P Simon McClannan (-4): Even punters need to stay light on their feet.
- CB Zashon Rich, LB Sawyer Schilke (-4): More speed on defense.
- S Jack Fabris, CB Martel Jackson, WR Bryce Noernberg, TE Garrett Oakley, LB Weston Polk (-3): Small drops, but in positions where quickness matters.
- QB Dillon Duff, WR Jaron Tibbs (-2): Quarterback and receiver trimming just enough to stay sharp.
- OL Joe Vickers (-1): A slight drop, but potentially part of a larger reshaping plan.
The takeaway here? The coaching staff is fine-tuning body types based on role.
Linemen and big-bodied defenders are getting stronger. Skill players and special teamers are getting leaner.
It’s all part of optimizing performance.
Who Grew?
It’s not just about weight. Several Wildcats are literally growing into their roles.
Nine players added an inch in height, including:
- S Logan Bartley, S Dominic Mitchell
- LB Ashton Moore, LB Sawyer Schilke
- WR Adonis Moise, WR Jaron Tibbs
- QB Dillon Duff
- OL Kyle Rakers
- K Cub Patton
That’s a lot of growth at linebacker, safety, and wide receiver-positions where length can make a real difference. Whether it’s reaching for passes, wrapping up tackles, or deflecting throws, that extra inch adds range and versatility.
No One Shrunk
No players lost height in this update-a small but noteworthy detail. Under Klieman, that was often the case, and it looks like Collin Klein is continuing that trend. These are young athletes still developing, and the physical maturation is clearly being monitored closely.
Freshmen and JUCO Transfers: Early Physical Development
Now let’s talk newcomers. Comparing their recruiting profiles to their current roster listings gives us a sense of how quickly they’re adapting to the college level.
Biggest weight gains:
- OL Lamarcus Barber (+28), OL Keegan Collins (+23), OL Jordan Jensen (+27): These linemen wasted no time bulking up. That’s a sign they’re being prepped to contribute early, or at least to be physically ready for the demands of Big 12 football.
- DE Tucker Ashford (+15), DT Adrian Bekibele (+10): Defensive front additions are adding mass without losing height-exactly what you want in trench players.
Other key developments:
- CB Garrick Dixon grew an inch and added 12 pounds. That’s a big jump for a cornerback, who’ll need both size and speed to compete.
- S Nick McClellan (+12) and WR Max Lovett (+6) also showed solid gains.
- WR Julius Wilson is now listed two inches shorter but five pounds heavier.
That could suggest a more compact, physical receiver style than initially expected.
- WR Derrick Salley Jr., CB Josiah Vilmael both came in lighter and shorter than listed-but that doesn’t necessarily mean less effective.
Sometimes recruiting profiles overestimate, and the official roster gives a clearer picture of where players really are.
There’s also RB Tanner West, who came in exactly as advertised-same height, same weight. That kind of consistency suggests he’s already physically ready to compete.
Final Thoughts: A Roster in Motion
This first look at the 2026 roster under Collin Klein shows a program in the middle of a physical reset. The Wildcats are getting bigger where it counts-on the lines, at linebacker, and in the secondary-while trimming down at quarterback, receiver, and special teams to keep things fast and fluid.
It’s a balancing act: power and speed, size and agility. And it’s clear that Klein and his staff are building a team with a specific identity in mind-one that can stand up to the physicality of the Big 12 while still having the athleticism to make plays in space.
As the rest of the roster fills out this summer, we’ll get a better picture of how this team is coming together. But for now, the early signs point to a group that’s not just changing numbers-they’re redefining what Kansas State football looks like in the Klein era.