After a stretch of tough news for Kansas State during the early wave of transfer portal activity, the Wildcats finally have something to feel good about - and it comes from a familiar face.
Sophomore cornerback Donovan McIntosh is staying in Manhattan after all. Just 10 days after announcing plans to enter the transfer portal, McIntosh has reversed course and is back with the program. It’s a meaningful win for a secondary that’s been bleeding talent this offseason.
McIntosh has spent the last two seasons in purple and silver, and while his career numbers - 36 total tackles, one interception, and five pass breakups - don’t leap off the page, his impact last season was clear. He played a key role in the defensive backfield and was one of the more consistent pieces in a group that struggled to find its footing.
His return comes on the heels of Kansas State’s hire of Jordan Peterson as defensive coordinator, a move that appears to have played a major role in McIntosh’s decision. McIntosh publicly celebrated the hire, signaling early on that a return might be in the cards.
Peterson, who joins the Wildcats after a stint at Texas A&M, brings a strong defensive pedigree and familiarity with head coach Collin Klein. That continuity could be exactly what Kansas State needs to stabilize a defense that was often exposed in 2025.
Peterson made his intentions clear in his introductory statement: “I am excited to accept this position at Kansas State and join Coach Klein and the Wildcat program. Kansas State is a special place with a proud football tradition.
My family and I are looking forward to the opportunity to return to the great state of Kansas and lead the K-State defense. I'm also very thankful to Texas A&M and Coach Elko for an incredible two years and for the support and relationships that mean so much to our family.”
That kind of energy is exactly what Kansas State needs right now, because while McIntosh’s return is a step in the right direction, the Wildcats are still taking hits - especially in the secondary.
The latest departure? Junior safety Daniel Cobbs, who announced he’s entering the transfer portal.
Cobbs was one of the defense’s most productive players in 2025, leading the team with three interceptions and finishing third among safeties with 39 total tackles. He also added three tackles for loss and five pass breakups, showing up in big moments, particularly in the second half of the season with standout performances against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
Cobbs becomes the fourth defensive back to hit the portal this cycle, joining safety Qua Moss and cornerbacks Amarion Fortenberry and Colby McCalister, who are all expected to enter when the portal officially opens on January 2. Cobbs still has one year of eligibility remaining and will no doubt be a coveted addition for programs looking for an experienced, playmaking safety.
For Kansas State, the challenge now is clear. With Collin Klein reshaping his defensive staff and bringing in seasoned coaches from across the college football world, the focus shifts to rebuilding a secondary that’s lost both depth and veteran leadership. The return of McIntosh is a solid foundation, but the Wildcats will need more reinforcements - whether through the portal or development from within - if they want to shore up a defense that struggled to keep pace in 2025.
The offseason is just getting started in Manhattan, but the stakes are already high. The Wildcats are in the middle of a critical transition, and how they navigate this next stretch will say a lot about where the program is headed.