The Big 12 has announced its 2026 preseason all‑conference squad, and two Kansas State standouts have earned spots on the prestigious list.
Gregory’s Immediate Impact
Wendell Gregory, a sophomore defensive end who arrived in Manhattan after a January transfer from Oklahoma State, was highlighted for his breakout freshman campaign that earned him the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honor and a place on the All‑Big 12 Third Team.
Gregory’s production was immediate and eye‑catching: he logged 27 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble, numbers that placed him second nationally among freshmen and fifth across the entire conference.
John Pastore, the senior left tackle who started every game a season ago, was recognized for his role in protecting the Wildcats’ high‑powered offense, which ranked tenth nationally in sacks allowed and climbed to fifth in school history for rushing yards per carry.
The Wildcats’ ground game set a new benchmark in Utah, where they rushed for a school‑record 472 yards, and the team produced three rushes of at least 70 yards — the most in program history.
Next week, Kansas State will join the rest of the league at the Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days in Frisco, Texas, where the players will field questions ahead of the upcoming season. Coverage will be distributed across ESPN platforms on Tuesday and Wednesday.
With the preseason accolades and media attention already rolling in, the Wildcats enter the new campaign carrying heightened expectations, but the coaching staff remains focused on translating early promise into sustained success on the field.