Collin Klein takes over as head coach at Kansas State in 2026 after previously serving as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. At quarterback, Avery Johnson returns with 48 career touchdown passes. Joe Jackson returns at running back, and Oklahoma State transfer Rodney Fields joins the backfield. Kansas State also returns five of its top eight players in receiving production from last season, including leading receiver Jaron Tibbs and tight end Garrett Oakley. Missouri transfer Josh Manning and Texas A&M transfer Izaiah Williams also join the receiving corps. The offensive line took a big hit when full-time starter John Pastore went down for the 2026 season with a leg injury after making 12 starts last season. Tyler Johnson, Tanner Morley, Delvin Morris, Charlie Adams and Gus Hawkins are the projected starters entering the season.
Jordan Peterson takes over as defensive coordinator after previously coaching with Klein at Texas A&M. Kansas State returns four of its top eleven tacklers from last season after losing its top three. The Wildcats will feature a largely new group of starters across the front seven, with linebacker Rex Van Wyhe the only returning top-11 tackler in the group. Asa Newsom also returns at linebacker after making three starts last season. On the line, Oklahoma State transfer Wendell Gregory and Kennesaw State transfer Elijah Hill join the defensive end group, while Kentucky transfer Austin Ramsey and Cincinnati transfer Kamari Burns are among the additions on the interior. In the secondary, Zashon Rich, Wesley Fair, and Donovan McIntosh return, while Virginia transfer Ja’Son Prevard and junior-college transfer Michael Graham join the group.
Stanton Weber takes over as special teams coordinator after previously coaching at Toledo. Luis Rodriguez returns at placekicker, while Simon McClannan returns at punter. Sterling Lockett returns with experience handling both punt and kickoff returns following the departure of primary kick returner Bryce Noernberg. Kansas State enters 2026 with continuity at quarterback and among its pass catchers, but both lines will feature considerable turnover from last season.