Weston Polk already looks like one of those K-State players who finds a way onto the field in every phase, and his first season in Manhattan backed that up. The Coppell, Texas, product did not redshirt in 2025, played in all 12 games and logged 169 special teams snaps while working on all four core special teams units.
That role came with production, too. Polk finished with three special teams tackles, good for a tie for third on the team. He had two of them at Utah and added another against UCF.
Polk, who was born Jan. 17, 2006, is majoring in business administration. He arrived at Kansas State after a decorated high school career at Coppell under head coach Antonio Wiley, where ESPN ranked him the 24th-best inside linebacker in the Class of 2025.
His senior season brought district defensive player of the year honors, and he had already picked up first-team all-district recognition as a junior and honorable mention honors as a sophomore. Across his prep career, Polk piled up 183 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, seven sacks, an interception, four passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
As a senior, he posted 86 tackles and 15 tackles for loss while helping Coppell reach the regional round of the state playoffs. He also competed in track and field.
K-State landed Polk over a long list of suitors that included Arkansas State, California, Houston, Iowa State, Memphis, North Texas, Oregon State, TCU, Texas State, Tulsa and UTEP, with Notre Dame also showing interest. Former defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman and Polk’s old position coach, Steve Stanard, were his lead recruiters.
And based on what new special teams coordinator Stanton Weber said in May, Polk’s value to the Wildcats should keep growing in 2026.
“There’s been a baton that’s been passed, and I was very happy to see it alive here. Guys are living in my office right now - Isaac Koch, Weston Polk, Mike Bergeron, Jack Fabris - these guys will do whatever it takes, and they’re talented players who can play on offense and defense, too, but they’re hanging out with me a lot.
They’re reminding me a lot of the guys I was running around with when I was a player. They’ve bought in.
When I asked them to do things in a competitive nature, they competed their butts off, and every day I saw good improvements. I’m excited, but it’s a long journey still.”
That kind of trust fits the scouting report Polk carried into college. Gabe Brooks of 247Sports described him as an “Athletic second-level defender with experience at linebacker, safety, and even edge.
Perhaps his most impressive trait is ability to suddenly redirect in pursuit. Combine testing data reflect that attribute as well.
More of a space defender than man defender at this point, but owns the athletic makeup to succeed in both in the long term.”
The instincts have shown up, too. Polk’s high school production points to a player who reads the game well, attacks downhill and times his blitzes with purpose. He was physical between the tackles, moved smoothly at linebacker and, as the source material puts it, “Rarely makes the wrong read.”
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