Kansas State isn’t wasting any time retooling its backfield for 2026. The Wildcats have made running back a clear priority in the transfer portal, landing three new additions this month to bolster a position group that’s set to return starter Joe Jackson.
The goal? Depth, versatility, and fresh legs to keep the ground game humming in Manhattan.
The latest name joining the Wildcats’ running back room is Makari Bodiford, a 5-foot-11, 222-pound back who brings power and potential from Memphis. Bodiford played two seasons with the Tigers and flashed some intriguing upside in limited action.
As a freshman, he made the most of his opportunities-racking up 106 yards and a touchdown on just 15 carries. His breakout moment came against Charlotte, where he gashed the defense for 73 yards and a score, showing off both vision and burst.
His sophomore campaign was quieter statistically-64 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries across four games-but the tape still shows a physical runner who can finish through contact. With three years of eligibility left, Bodiford isn’t just a short-term depth piece-he’s a long-term investment who could carve out a bigger role as he develops in the Wildcats’ system.
Bodiford joins fellow transfer backs Rodney Fields (Oklahoma State) and Jay Harris (Oregon), giving Kansas State a trio of new weapons to rotate alongside Jackson. Each brings a different skill set to the table, and together, they could form a dynamic committee capable of keeping defenses off balance.
But the backfield additions are just one piece of a much larger portal puzzle for K-State. The Wildcats have been aggressive across the board, bringing in 27 transfers to reshape the roster. That includes reinforcements in the trenches-like offensive linemen Tyler Johnson (Auburn), Keiton Jones (Missouri), and Chase Duarte (San Diego State)-as well as a wave of defensive talent, from pass rushers like Jayden Bryant (Coastal Carolina) and Wendell Gregory (Oklahoma State) to defensive backs like Koy Beasley (Miami of Ohio) and Kaleb Patterson (Illinois).
Special teams got some love too, with punter Dylan Davidson (Emporia State), kicker Robert Hammond (Toledo), and long snapper Jaxson Duffield (Oklahoma State) all joining the fold.
Of course, that level of incoming talent also reflects the turnover Kansas State has experienced. Thirty-one players have exited via the portal, including several notable names.
Running back Dylan Edwards heads to in-state rival Kansas, while wide receiver Jayce Brown is off to LSU. The Wildcats also lost key defensive contributors like Ryan Davis and Daniel Cobbs to Baylor, and edge rusher Chiddi Obiazor to Indiana.
Still, the staff’s ability to reload quickly through the portal speaks to the program’s adaptability in today’s college football landscape. The transfer era demands flexibility, and K-State is showing it’s up to the task-particularly in the backfield, where the combination of experience, youth, and upside could make for a compelling running game in 2026.
With Joe Jackson leading the charge and new additions like Bodiford, Fields, and Harris ready to contribute, the Wildcats are building a backfield that’s not just about filling holes-it’s about creating options. And in a conference where depth and durability often separate contenders from pretenders, that could make all the difference.