A Recruiting Surge in Manhattan
When Collin Klein arrived in Manhattan, he inherited a program with a storied past of turning overlooked recruits into Big 12 contributors. His inaugural class, currently ranked No. 28 in the national composite, already boasts a handful of four‑star athletes, a rarity for the Wildcats in recent cycles.
The early signees include tight end Linkon Cure, who was the highest‑rated prospect to commit under Chris Klieman, and quarterback Avery Johnson, the ninth‑best quarterback in his class. Both players are expected to compete for starting roles as early as next season.
Klein's roster also features commitments from offensive linemen Cooper Ohnmacht, Ben Hynek, and defensive backs Brayden Harris, Sedrick Marsh, Dawayne Jones, London Goggans, and Noah King. The depth of the class suggests a potential rise in the rankings if the three‑star prospects receive five‑star designations before signing day.
The comparison to Klieman's tenure is instructive. Klieman's best recruiting cycles peaked at No. 37 nationally in 2023 and 2025, with Cure as the marquee name. Yet those classes, like Snyder's 2005 group that reached No. 33, eventually translated into on‑field success, including a Big 12 championship in 2008.
A Legacy of Development
Bill Snyder, who retired a decade ago, famously assembled a 2005 class that contained five four‑star recruits and laid the groundwork for a period of sustained excellence. Snyder's 2008 squad, which included a young Collin Klein, was ranked 50th but still captured a conference title, underscoring that numerical rankings can mask latent talent.
What remains clear is that Kansas State's ability to develop players has never hinged solely on star ratings. The university's tradition of nurturing talent — whether at the graduate level or within the Big 12 — continues to attract attention from programs across the country.
The upcoming season will test whether Klein's recruiting momentum can be converted into wins on the field. If the Wildcats can break through the upper tier of the conference, the current class could be remembered as the catalyst for a new era.