MANHATTAN - Kansas State’s 2026 roster has a distinctly homegrown feel, with a long list of Kansas natives filling out the Wildcats’ depth chart as the program enters its first season under head coach Collin Klein.
That group stretches across every level of the team. Some are already established pieces, some are poised for bigger roles, and others are arriving with enough pedigree to push for snaps sooner rather than later. For K-State fans, it’s the kind of roster makeup that always lands well: plenty of Sunflower State talent wearing purple.
At quarterback, Avery Johnson of Maize is back for his third season as the Wildcats’ starter. He’s also back in the familiar orbit of Klein, who served as his offensive coordinator during Johnson’s freshman year. Johnson has a chance to chase multiple school passing records this season, and the Wildcats’ ceiling will rise and fall with how far he can carry them.
The tight end room has a strong Kansas flavor, too. Goodland’s Linkon Cure enters his sophomore year with the most breakout potential of anyone on the roster.
The former five-star prospect is set to spend more time at his natural position after playing 139 offensive snaps last season. He’ll be joined by Kapaun Mt.
Carmel product Will Anciaux, who should remain the third tight end behind Garrett Oakley and Cure after catching six passes for 45 yards and a touchdown on 331 offensive snaps a year ago. Freshmen Lawson McGraw of Blue Valley West and Arley Morrell of Pratt also join the group.
McGraw is listed at 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, while Morrell comes in at 6-foot-5 and 224 pounds. Morrell was ranked as the No. 24 tight end in the country and the third-best player from Kansas in the 2026 class.
Kansas State’s offensive line also has plenty of local representation. Field Kindley’s Keiton Jones returned from Missouri and is already setting records in the weight room.
Blue Valley Northwest’s Brock Heath is back after a redshirt season and was ranked as the nation’s 54th-best interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class. Mill Valley’s Lamarcus Barber arrives as a freshman reserve after being rated the No. 44 interior offensive lineman in the country out of high school.
Another Mill Valley product, Gus Hawkins, could be the favorite to start at right tackle after an injury shortened his 2025 season. Hawkins is listed at 6-foot-7 and 314 pounds.
The Wildcats also have another freshman tackle in the mix with Blue Valley Northwest’s Brock Heath.
Up front on defense, Olathe South’s Jordan Allen is set to stay in the line rotation after posting 2.5 sacks and five tackles for loss last year. Nemaha Central’s Holden Bass could also work his way into playing time along the interior after logging just seven snaps in 2025 following a redshirt season. Junction City’s Jackson Hollie joins the roster as a 6-foot-5, 221-pound freshman defensive end.
The secondary features another heavy Kansas presence. Derby corner Martel Jackson is coming off a redshirt year after being ranked the 60th-best corner in the 2025 class.
Andover Central safety Jace Adler played in three games last season and logged 13 snaps on punt coverage. Mill Valley safety Blake Jay arrives as a 5-foot-8, 178-pound freshman.
Wichita Collegiate’s Wesley Fair should keep a role in the defensive backfield after starting six games a year ago, though his exact workload is still up in the air after offseason additions. Fair gives K-State useful depth either way.
Special teams remains a steady landing spot for several Kansas players. Mill Valley’s Mikey Bergeron has been one of the Wildcats’ most reliable contributors there over the past two seasons and led the team with eight special teams tackles last year.
Free State’s Jet Dineen has also been a steady special teams presence for three years and is expected to continue in that role. Rockhurst wide receiver Isaac Koch has contributed on special teams in each of the last three seasons, and that isn’t changing.
Blue Valley’s Sterling Lockett should remain in the punt return mix, even with the competition described as very open, and he’s also expected to provide depth at receiver after seeing action there when injuries hit the position last year.
On the defensive side, Louisburg linebacker Ashton Moore redshirted last season after entering college as the 50th-best linebacker in his class. The roster also includes Blue Valley West freshman tight end Lawson McGraw and Basehor-Linwood freshman receiver Nash Morrison, who comes in at 6-foot-4 and 187 pounds.
Kansas State’s Kansas contingent gives the 2026 roster a clear local backbone. Some of those names are already woven into the Wildcats’ plans.
Others are waiting for their turn. Either way, the state is well represented in Manhattan.
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Kansas State Has A Real Opening To Surprise The Big 12
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The setup is favorable in a way that matters in this league, where avoiding a few of the top teams can change the complexion of an entire season. Kansas State also gets a run of difficult games at home, which gives the Wildcats a chance to build momentum early and stay in the mix longer than the preseason projection suggests. [Read more 🡒]