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The Topeka Capital Journal
What are Collin Klein's biggest transfer portal needs at Kansas State?
- Story byThe Topeka Capital Journal
- What are Collin Klein's biggest transfer portal needs at Kansas State?
MANHATTAN — Needs are aplenty for Kansas State football heading into the beginning of the transfer portal, which opens Friday, Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16.
The Wildcats, heading into their first season under Collin Klein, will see many departures, particularly on defense. At the same time, they also have holes to fill at wide receiver and along the offensive line .
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More names are likely to announce their portal intentions in the coming days , and even during the portal window. As of this writing, Avery Johnson remained committed to the Wildcats, but a sudden departure would put a starting quarterback at the top of the list .
Here are Kansas State 's biggest portal needs, as of Dec. 29.
Kansas State desperately needs defensive linemen
K-State has been hit hard along the defensive front, with four defensive ends and its most productive defensive tackle portal-bound. Edge rusher will be a huge priority following the departures of Tobi Osunanmi, Chiddi Obiazor and Ryan Davis.
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Lucky for the Wildcats, there will be a lot of pass rushers in the portal, but everyone will throw big money at those who can consistently get after the quarterback. K-State needs to improve at this spot, and it has a chance to rebuild this room.
Collin Klein needs to grab a few wide receivers
Klein needs to get Johnson, or whoever his quarterback is, weapons. Jayce Brown is portal-bound, leaving the Wildcats with Jaron Tibbs as the most proven returning receiver. Derrick Salley Jr. and Adonis Moise should have roles, but more will be needed.
Kansas State needs a few starting offensive linemen
How the Wildcats attack the offensive line position will be interesting. So far, Devin Vass has been the only one to announce he's portal-bound, but graduations left this group pretty thin in experience. We'll get a good feel of how Klein and the current staff feel about those on the roster by the way they try to upgrade a group that hasn't performed up to the Kansas State standard in recent years.
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Joe Jackson is returning to Kansas State. What else will the Wildcats do at RB?
Joe Jackson's return to K-State is a win for Klein after Jackson broke out for 435 yards and six touchdowns over the last two weeks of the season combined. But the Wildcats are unlikely to sit still, needing to add depth after lacking consistency at running back in 2025. Look for the Wildcats to flirt with starting-caliber running backs who would share carries with Jackson.
Kansas State needs to hit on a few linebacker, secondary pieces
K-State is a bit thin at linebacker following the graduation of Des Purnell and Austin Romaine 's impending portal departure. Rex Van Wyhe and Asa Newsom have some experience, and there is promise among the underclassmen.
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The secondary will also need to be addressed, and the departure of Qua Moss hurt. Donovan McIntosh's decision to return to KSU, combined with Zashon Rich's impending return, provides some experience at the corners, but additions should be expected. Klein has shown a significant commitment to the secondary through his coaching hires, bringing in three veteran coaches specializing in coaching the secondary.
Does Kansas State find Avery Johnson's heir apparent during this cycle?
This doesn't have to happen now, but if Johnson plays his final season of eligibility in Manhattan, the Wildcats will need to think about who's next. That could be addressed in the portal.
Several names Klein was connected to early in their recruitments are portal-bound, including Oklahoma State's Zane Flores and Iowa State 's Alex Manske. It's also worth noting that Klein was involved in Blake Barnett 's recruitment, who already announced his intent to stay in purple.
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Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_ , contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football biggest transfer portal needs when window opens
