A new Kansas State series is digging into which players could shape the Wildcats’ 2026 season, and the sophomore class is loaded with names that already feel like they’re on the verge of bigger things.
Some of these guys are obvious bets. Others are the kind of players who may not dominate the headlines but can still swing a season with the right role. Either way, the common thread is simple: there’s real impact potential here.
Linkon Cure is one of the clearest breakout candidates on the roster. He spent the offseason transforming his body, drew praise from the entire coaching staff during spring ball, and stepped into the TE 1 role while Garrett Oakley was out recovering from an injury.
Cure won’t open the fall in that spot, but it wouldn’t surprise anyone around the program if he and Oakley became one of the Big 12’s better tight end pairings. He’s also said to have improved as a blocker, and in 2026 he’ll focus only on tight end instead of playing out of position at wide receiver in 2025.
His true freshman numbers didn’t jump off the page, but the expectation is that he becomes a centerpiece of the offense, especially in the red zone, under Collin Klein. Pound for pound, he’s one of the best athletes on the team, and his mismatch ability makes him a prime candidate for a sophomore leap.
Wendell Gregory might be the safest name on the list. The transfer portal win was a major one, and he looks like a starter from the jump with real star potential on defense.
Pass rushers change games, and Gregory brings a ceiling that neither Chiddi Obiazor nor Tobi Osunsanmi had as Wildcats. Texas, Texas Tech and other Power Four programs wanted him, and he was already named a preseason All-Big 12 nominee at edge.
After winning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, leading all Big 12 freshmen in sacks and finishing with 12 TFLs, he enters his second season with a chance to climb into Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year territory. Buddy Wyatt now gets to work with him, and with a stronger supporting cast around him, Gregory could be a problem all season long.
Rodney Fields Jr. brings a different kind of value. The former Oklahoma State transfer was productive for the Cowboys last season, starting eight games and piling up 614 rushing yards along with 28 catches for 276 receiving yards.
At Kansas State, he’ll be part of a backfield rotation with Jay Harris and Joe Jackson, so the raw numbers may look different in purple. But the role should still matter.
Fields is set to handle a needed third-down job, and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield should make him a useful option for Cory Patterson, especially in passing situations and late-game spots. Injuries slowed him during spring, but he’s back healthy and has a chance to contribute right away in Week 1.
It may take a little time for him to settle in, but the talent is there.
Gus Hawkins is another sophomore who could end up playing a major role up front. The Mill Valley product was playing well in 2025 and was on track to start at right tackle before an injury ended his season early.
That same injury limited him through much of spring ball, but he enters fall camp healthy and could be a key piece of the line in 2026. He’s one of the better athletes in Mike Schmidt’s room, and while there are mechanical details to clean up, more snaps could bring out his best.
If he’s truly 100 percent, the signs point to Hawkins starting or at least playing starter-level snaps when the Wildcats open the season September 5th. With competition at tackle, a strong Hawkins would go a long way toward stabilizing the offensive line.
Elijah Hill is the wild card, but the upside is hard to miss. At 6'1 245 lbs., he’s undersized for an edge on paper.
Then you look at the speed, and it becomes clear why he was so coveted when he entered the portal with a "do not contact" tag. At Kennesaw State, he played in 14 games, posted 11.5 TFLs and 9 sacks, and earned All-Conference USA First Team and Conference USA All-Freshman Team honors.
His run defense graded out below average, but his pass-rush production was elite, per PFF. Kansas State plans to use him as a pass-rush specialist, and while the sack total may not match what he did before, his presence should make the defense more complete.
Put Hill and Gregory on the field together on third-and-long, and opposing quarterbacks could have a long night. If Hill rounds out his game, the ceiling gets even higher.
In Other News...
Wendell Gregory Carries Early Pressure In Kansas States New Era
Wendell Gregory arrives in Manhattan as one of the more notable pieces in Kansas States defensive rebuild, giving the Wildcats a proven transfer presence as they begin the first season under head coach Collin Klein. Gregory comes over from Oklahoma State with the kind of experience that can matter quickly, especially for a team trying to set a new tone after the transition from Chris Klieman to Klein.
Kansas State enters the year with modest outside expectations after being picked eighth in the Big 12 preseason media poll, but there is still belief that Klein can make an immediate imprint. Gregorys role becomes part of that equation, since the Wildcats need impact players to help the defense carry early pressure while the new staff sorts out what this next version of the program is going to look like. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Basketball Targets Rising 2027 Guard Amid Growing Interest
Kansas State has added another name to its 2027 board, extending an offer to William Powers, a combo guard from Westminster Christian Academy in Missouri. The Wildcats are still early in that class, with one commit already in place, and they have been busy lining up targets as they look to build out future backcourt and frontcourt depth.
Powers enters the mix alongside a group that includes four-star forward Davis Cochran, guard Malik Olajuwon and forward Teke Deng, all of whom have drawn attention from multiple schools. For a program trying to stay ahead of the curve, the offer fits the broader push to keep momentum going in a class that should only get more competitive from here. [Read more 🡒]
Casey Alexander Is Giving Kansas State Fans An Early Recruiting Look
Casey Alexander is already putting his stamp on Kansas States 2027 recruiting class, making early scholarship offers to four of the countrys top high school prospects while continuing to track two more. It is the sort of early groundwork that can shape a class long before signing day chatter really starts, and it gives Wildcats fans a first glimpse at the kind of talent the staff wants to identify and prioritize.
The names attached to those offers have been productive enough on the high school circuit to justify the attention, and Kansas State is clearly trying to stay ahead of the curve rather than chase prospects later. Fans will get another chance to connect with the program soon, too, with the Meet the Cats event set for Aug. 22 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, a useful reminder that recruiting buzz and fan engagement tend to move hand in hand in Manhattan. [Read more 🡒]