Wichita native Wesley Fair is bringing more than just talent to Kansas State’s secondary this season. He’s carrying the kind of home-state pride that he believes can show up when the games get tight.
Fair, a defensive back for the Wildcats, said last week at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas, that growing up in Kansas gives players like him a built-in connection to the program.
“I think being from Kansas, you have a lot of pride in playing for Kansas State and I think that translates to all the other Kansas kids,” Fair said last week at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas. “I think that you can see the passion we have when you’re outside looking in and I think it’s going to definitely pay dividends in the fall when things get tough.”
Fair’s 2023 season included six starts across 12 appearances. He finished with 36 tackles, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. This offseason, he’s focused on becoming more steady from week to week while also stepping into a bigger voice in the locker room.
“I think this year I’ve been just working on my leadership and how I can lead guys better, how I can bring guys along with me as I’m getting better.”
That approach has already stood out to new coach Collin Klein, who joined Kansas State after serving as offensive coordinator at Texas A & M.
“He’s got really good energy, passion and care for his teammates, for our program,” Klein said. “You know, watching him even grow in the last three to four months has been really cool. I’m excited for where he’s going.”
Kansas State is also keeping its eyes on the future in recruiting, and the Wildcats recently added another name to their 2027 board in cornerback Riley Lewis of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, TX. North Texas, SMU, and Texas Tech were among the other programs to offer Lewis.
"Truly blessed to say I’ve received my 11th D1 offer from Kansas State University," Lewis tweeted.
The Wildcats are currently in a dead period, but they already have one of the best 2027 recruiting classes in the country. And while 2029 is still far down the road, Kansas State is clearly working early to build the foundation for what could come next.
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Avery Johnson Owns What Kansas State Lost Last Season
The 6-6 finish still hangs over Avery Johnson and Kansas State, and the quarterback did not try to soften why it happened. Johnson said the Wildcats spent too much time chasing results instead of leaning into the daily process, a lesson that has become a central theme under first-year coach Collin Klein. Attention to detail and consistent effort are now the points of emphasis, with Johnson acknowledging that the program has had to work through personnel changes and injuries while trying to reset its standard.
Johnson also framed the shift as one that fits the Wildcats history, and that matters because he is one of the players expected to carry the offense forward. After a season in which his production dipped, the pressure on him is obvious, especially with a senior year ahead and a team trying to prove last fall was more a warning than a trend. The bigger question is whether Kansas State can turn that self-critique into something sturdier before the next season starts to ask for answers. [Read more 🡒]
Collin Klein Is Carrying A K State Legacy Fans Deeply Trust
Collin Klein has spent enough time around Kansas State football to understand what comes with the job, and now he is the one carrying it. In his first season as the Wildcats head coach, Klein talked about how his path was shaped by the people who came before him, pointing to the lessons he absorbed while playing under Bill Snyder and later coaching under Chris Klieman.
For Kansas State fans, that lineage matters because it ties the present to the programs most trusted eras. Klein said Snyders influence helped push him toward coaching in the first place, while his relationship with Klieman has also been a major part of his rise. The result is a head coach who does not feel detached from the schools identity, even as he settles into the pressure of leading it himself. [Read more 🡒]
Joe Jackson Could Unlock A New Level For Kansas State
Joe Jackson already gave Kansas State plenty as a runner last season, when he emerged as a third-team All-Big 12 back with 911 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Even with that production, the Wildcats are looking at a version of Jackson that could stretch defenses in a different way, one that makes him more than just the guy taking handoffs between the tackles.
Jackson has made it clear he wants to be more involved catching the ball and doing damage out of the backfield, which would add another layer to an offense that can always use another reliable playmaker. For Kansas State, the appeal is obvious: if Jackson can turn those touches into something bigger, he could raise both his own ceiling and the offenses. [Read more 🡒]