Collin Klein takes over as head coach at Kansas State in 2026 after previously serving as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. In the backfield, Avery Johnson returns at quarterback as one of the roster’s most experienced players and enters his third season as Kansas State’s starter. Joe Jackson also returns at running back, while Oklahoma State transfer Rodney Fields joins the backfield. At receiver, Kansas State returns five of its top eight from last season, including leading receiver Jaron Tibbs and tight end Garrett Oakley. Missouri transfer Josh Manning and Texas A&M transfer Izaiah Williams join the receiving corps. Update (Oct. 5): TE Will Anciaux suffered a lower-leg injury against Cincinnati and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
The offensive line took a significant hit when full-time starter John Pastore suffered a season-ending leg injury after making 12 starts last season. As a result, injuries created movement along the line during fall camp, forcing Kansas State to work through several combinations entering the season. Tyler Johnson and Charlie Adams are among the experienced options, while Tanner Morley has been working his way back from injury.
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, so the Wildcats feature a largely new group of starters across the front seven. Linebacker Rex Van Wyhe is the only returning top-eleven tackler, and Asa Newsom also returns at linebacker after three starts last season. At defensive end, Oklahoma State transfer Wendell Gregory and Kennesaw State transfer Elijah Hill join the group, while Kentucky transfer Austin Ramsey and Cincinnati transfer Kamari Burns are among the interior additions. In the secondary, Zashon Rich, Wesley Fair, and Donovan McIntosh return, while Virginia transfer Ja’Son Prevard and junior-college transfer Michael Graham Jr. join the group.
Stanton Weber takes over as special teams coordinator after previously serving on Kansas State’s staff. Luis Rodriguez returns at placekicker, while Simon McClannan returns at punter after averaging 42.5 yards per punt last season. At returner, Sterling Lockett brings experience after primary kick returner Bryce Noernberg departed.
Overall, Kansas State enters 2026 with an experienced quarterback and continuity among its pass catchers, but significant turnover elsewhere on the roster clouds the outlook. Johnson gives the Wildcats an experienced offensive foundation, while injuries have added uncertainty to an already changing offensive line. Defensively, Kansas State must replace seven of its top eleven tacklers and integrate numerous new contributors. As a result, Klein’s first roster has stability at quarterback, but considerable change around him leaves the season outlook less certain.