Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

Avery Johnson threw for 231 yards while accounting for four touchdowns, Kansas State returned a fumble 20 yards for another score, and the Wildcats routed Kansas 42-17 on Saturday for their 17th consecutive victory in the Sunflower Showdown. Johnson ran for two TDs and threw for two more, including a 78-yard strike to Jayce Brown, who finished with four catches for 160 yards. Joe Jackson added 69 yards on the ground, helping the Wildcats (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) to run out the clock late. Kansas State made life especially miserable on a cold, wet day for Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels, who was 17 of 35 for 129 yards with an interception. Daniels did have a touchdown run, while Daniel Hishaw Jr. ran for 67 yards and a score. The Jayhawks (4-4, 2-3) still have not beaten their rival down Interstate 70 since Nov. 1, 2008 - seven head coaches ago. The opening half Saturday was an exercise in polar-opposite quarters. The first was downright crazy: Kansas State fumbled the opening kickoff, leading to a quick touchdown by Kansas. Then the Wildcats answered with a long touchdown drive, held the Jayhawks, then scooped up a poor snap on the punt and returned it for another score, giving coach Chris Klieman's bunch a 21-7 advantage.

The second quarter was downright boring: Kansas took over midway through it and embarked on an 18-play, 85-yard drive in which it converted four third downs and soaked up more than 8 1/2 minutes. By the time Daniel Hishaw barreled into the end zone to make it 21-14, the Wildcats had enough time to run just one play before the break. As so often happens in this rivalry, the good feelings for Kansas didn't last. The Jayhawks went three-and-out on their opening two series of the second half, and Kansas State capitalized on an interception of Daniels to extend the lead on DeVon Rice's touchdown plunge midway through the third quarter. The decisive blow came moments later, after Kansas had settled for a field goal to make it 28-17. On the Wildcats' next play from scrimmage, Johnson found Brown in stride down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown reception. Kansas turned over on downs on its next two possessions, allowing the Wildcats to begin their celebration early. - Kansas State/AP College Football

(DS#14 QB) Jr/2027

QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
News Source: Kansas State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/13/25 - Avery Johnson, Jr/2027, Kansas State, 6-2, 196 (DS#14 QB) + More +

MIDSEASON AP BIG 12 MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM: Kansas State (3-4) goes into this week's open date after a home win over TCU, but the Wildcats have already matched their loss total from each of the past three seasons, a span that began with a 10-4 record and Big 12 championship game win in 2022. Coach Chris Klieman's seventh season began with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State in Ireland, part of a 1-3 start with the only win being 38-35 over FCS team North Dakota. Three of the next four games are on the road, with the one at home against Texas Tech. - AP College Football

(DS#14 QB) Jr/2027

QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/13/25 - Desmond Purnell, rSr/2026, Kansas State, 5-11, 232 (DS#69 ILB) + More +

WEEK 7 BIG 12 C0-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Des Purnell, LB, K-State,...Filling the stat sheet with five tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and a pair of interceptions in K-State's win against TCU, Purnell became only the second linebacker in the nation with multiple interceptions in a game this season. He returned one of his picks for a touchdown, becoming the first Wildcat with a pick-six since 2012. The senior also upped K-State's nation-leading, non-offensive touchdown mark of 138 since 1999. - Big 12 Football

(DS#69 ILB) rSr/2026

ILB Desmond Purnell, Kansas State
News Source: Big 12 Football
Share/Comment: Here

10/11/25 - Avery Johnson, Jr/2027, Kansas State, 6-2, 196 (DS#14 QB) + More +

Avery Johnson threw three touchdown passes - two to Garrett Oakley - and Kansas State added two defensive touchdowns to defeat TCU 41-28 Saturday afternoon. Des Purnell had two interceptions, including a pick-6, for the Wildcats. Johnson finished 16-of-26 passing for 196 yards for Kansas State (3-4, 2-2 Big 12). Josh Hoover was 26-of-47 passing for 376 yards and three touchdowns for TCU (4-2, 1-2 Big 12). K-State took a two-score lead early in the third quarter with its second defensive touchdown of the game. Purnell picked off Hoover and raced 25 yards for the score. Johnson then found Garrett Oakley for his second touchdown, this time from 17 yards out, to give the Wildcats a 28-7 lead with 3:57 left in the third quarter.

TCU used a seven-play, 75-yard drive in just 1:51 to draw within 28-14 late in the fourth quarter. Hoover found Chase Curtis on a 2-yard touchdown on fourth down. But Johnson found Jarend Bradley for a 12-yard touchdown to give K-State a 35-14 lead. Hoover connected with Eric McAlister for an 85-yard touchdown, but Purnell's second interception in TCU territory set up a Luis Rodriguez field goal. TCU got on the scoreboard with a 12-play, 93-yard drive late in the first half. Jeremy Payne went around the left end for a 1-yard touchdown. Kansas State answered with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Oakley, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive to even the score. On TCU's second play of the ensuing possession, Hoover's pass to Ed Small was ruled a backward pass. It was recovered by Wesley Fair at the TCU 15-yard line. Fair ran it in for a touchdown, giving K-State a 14-7 lead at the half. - Kansas State/AP College Football

(DS#14 QB) Jr/2027

QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
News Source: Kansas State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/27/25 - Dylan Edwards, Jr/2027, Kansas State, 5-09, 170 (DS#9 RB) + More +

Avery Johnson threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, Dylan Edwards ran for 166 yards and another score, and Kansas State held on to beat UCF 34-20 on Saturday for its first Big 12 win of the season. Johnson also ran for 75 yards, and the Wildcats (2-3, 1-1) piled up 268 yards on the ground, while their defense made a critical fourth-down stop with just over 4 minutes left after the Knights (3-1, 0-1) had closed to within 31-20. Tayven Jackson, who missed a chunk of the game with an injury, returned to throw for 115 yards for UCF, which had won its last 16 games under Scott Frost dating to his first tenure with the program. Myles Montgomery had 119 yards rushing. Kansas State has never lost to UCF in three meetings.

The Knights were rolling off a 34-9 rout of North Carolina, but Kansas State must have had plenty of time to scout them during their bye. The Wildcats shut down the UCF offense even before Jackson got hurt with 10:48 left in the first half. UCF finally got a big play moments later, when Brown hit DJ Black down the sideline. Kansas State's Wesley Fair missed a tackle, and the resulting 82-yard TD reception was the longest by a Knights player since Doug Gabriel's 83-yarder in 2001. But the Wildcats answered with a 73-yard touchdown march, and Will Anciaux's catch gave them a 17-7 lead at the break. Not much changed after halftime. Brown and the Knights went three-and-out to start the third quarter, and Kansas State added to the lead with another long touchdown drive. And when Jackson's surprising return sparked the UCF offense, Brown came in to run a sneak on fourth down, and the backup quarterback promptly fumbled the ball away. Edwards added a 75-yard touchdown run later in the third quarter, helping to put the game out of UCF's reach. - Kansas State/AP College Football

(DS#9 RB) Jr/2027

RB Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
News Source: Kansas State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/30/25 - Avery Johnson, Jr/2027, Kansas State, 6-2, 196 (DS#14 QB) + More +

Avery Johnson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Joe Jackson with 42 seconds left and No. 17 Kansas State escaped with a 38-35 victory over FCS opponent North Dakota on Saturday night. Kansas State avoided becoming the first ranked team to lose two games in August in the history of the poll, and also dodged its first 0-2 start since coaching great Bill Snyder's first season in 1989. The Wildcats opened last week with a 24-21 loss to Iowa State in Dublin. North Dakota - playing its its first game under coach Eric Schmidt - missed a chance to become the seventh FCS (formerly I-AA) team to knock off a school in the AP Top 25. Montana was the last to accomplish the feat, beating then-No. 20 Washington 13-7 in 2021.

K-State blew a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, with North Dakota taking a 35-31 lead on Sawyer Seidl's 20-yard run with 4:19 left. Johnson then drove the Wildcats 81 yards on 10 plays for the winning score. Johnson was 28 of 43 for 318 yards and three touchdowns. North Dakota led 21-17 at the half, and Kansas State took a 31-21 lead into the fourth. North Dakota started the rally with Jerry Kaminski's 22-yard touchdown pass to Korey Tai. North Dakota's Jerry Kaminski was 23 of 38 for 231 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for two touchdowns. The Fighting Hawks were looking for their first victory over an FBS opponent since edging Wyoming in 2015. - Kansas State/AP College Football

(DS#14 QB) Jr/2027

QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
News Source: Kansas State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

08/31/24 - Avery Johnson, Jr/2027, Kansas State, 6-2, 196 (DS#14 QB) + More +

Avery Johnson threw two touchdown passes and Kansas State got contributions from all three phases of the game to lead the No. 18 Wildcats to a season-opening 41-6 win over UT Martin on Saturday night. The Wildcats' defense dominated early and often, allowing the Wildcats' offense to find its footing. Kansas State limited the Skyhawks to 134 total yards (2.4 yards per play). K-State also befuddled UT Martin's passing attack by sacking Kinkead Dent three times. The Wildcats finished with four sacks, led by sophomore defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi's 1 1/2.

Meanwhile, the Wildcats' offense had its moments behind Johnson, a sophomore who became K-State's second-youngest quarterback to start a season opener. He made his mark in the first quarter when he connected with tight end Brayden Loftin for a 23-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 80-yard drive that gave K-State an early 7-0 lead. Johnson finished 14 of 21 for 153 yards and two TDs with an interception. He also ran for 37 yards on three carries. DJ Giddens gouged UT Martin's defense with a team-high 124 yards on 13 carries, averaging 9.5 yards per attempt. As a team, the Wildcats totaled 283 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. - AP College Football

(DS#14 QB) Jr/2027

QB Avery Johnson, Kansas State
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - JB Nelson, rSr/2026, Kansas State, 6-5, 325 (DS#16 OG) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: JB Nelson,...Started eight games at left guard this season...Made his first career start against West Virginia...Was the Coaching Staff's Offensive Player of the Game following the Iowa game. - Penn State Football

(DS#16 OG) rSr/2026

OG JB Nelson, Kansas State
News Source: Penn State Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/30/23 - Cooper Beebe, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-3, 322 (DS#3 OG) + More +

2023 BIG 12 OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Cooper Beebe, Kansas State, Sr.,...Beebe, who was also named an All-Big 12 First Team pick for a third-straight season, is the fifth player in conference history to twice be named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, an award that began in 2006. The others were Oklahoma's Creed Humphrey (2019 and 2020) and Orlando Brown (2016 and 2017), as well as Baylor's Spencer Drango (2014 and 2015) and Cyril Richardson (2012 and 2013). A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Beebe is the first K-State offensive lineman to earn three-straight All-Big 12 First Team citations from the league's coaches since Dalton Risner in 2016, 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, Beebe was the first player in school history to be named a finalist for the Outland Trophy. - Kansas State Football

(DS#3 OG) rSr/2024

OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
News Source: Kansas State Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/27/23 - Easton Kilty, rSr/2025, Kansas State, 6-5, 308 (DS#25 OG) + More +

2023 ALL-MISSOURI VALLEY FOOTBALL HONORABLE MENTION: OL Easton Kilty,...Started every game at left tackle...Behind his blocking, UND sits No. 3 in the MVFC and No. 4 nationally in completion percentage (70.3)...UND quarterbacks have the No. 15 passing efficiency rating in the FCS (153.02) with the help of his blocking...Helped the Fighting Hawks pile up over 500 yards of offense twice, highlighted by 652 yards against Drake...Entered the year as an honorable mention Preseason All-MVFC selection. - North Dakota Football

(DS#25 OG) rSr/2025

OG Easton Kilty, Kansas State
News Source: North Dakota Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/26/23 - Ralph Ortiz, rJr/2027, Kansas State, 6-1, 226 (DS#999 OLB) + More +

2023 GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE DEFENSIVE FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Ralph Ortiz, West Florida,...Ortiz earned top freshman defensive honors after a solid debut season campaign for the Argonauts. A three-time GSC Freshman of the Week honoree, Ortiz finished the season with 35 tackles, good for fifth among UWF leaders. He also recorded 11 solo stops, six tackles for loss and one sack. Among GSC leaders, the redshirt-rookie linebacker was tied-fourth with three interceptions and was one of just five players with a pick-six. Ortiz is the first West Florida recipient of the award since Trent Archie (2016). - Gulf South Football

(DS#999 OLB) rJr/2027

OLB Ralph Ortiz, Kansas State
News Source: Gulf South Football
Share/Comment: Here

02/21/23 - Jax Dineen, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 5-10, 244 (DS#999 FB) + More +

It appears as though Jax Dineen will not be back for an extra season with the Wildcats. Dineen, a 5-foot-10 and 244-pound fullback from Lawrence, could have returned to the football team for at least one more year in 2023 but it now seems like his playing days may be over. He is no longer listed on the K-State roster after playing in 37 games over four seasons with the Wildcats. While that is not exactly a surprise, he never publicly announced his future plans.

Dineen never entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal or declared he would pursue a pro career. It seems as though he is ready to pursue other options beyond football after college. Dineen was only used sparingly last year, as he gained two yards on just one rushing attempt. But his ability to run for tough yardage and make physical blocks made him a popular player in previous seasons. His brother, Jet Dineen, will be a redshirt-freshman safety for the Wildcats this season. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#999 FB) rSr/2024

FB Jax Dineen, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

02/16/23 - Caleb Medford, rSr/2026, Kansas State, 6-0, 211 (DS#999 WR) + More +

Standing on the sideline, cornerback Donte Martin shook his head and laughed when asked about the receivers he just spent the last two hours working to stop. "Their speed, how they came out of the breaks - way different than what we had last year," he said. And head coach Danny Gonzales? If he didn't share the laugh, he at least had the same thought. "The secondary around here has not had to work as hard, I guess," he said. "That's no longer. They've got to come every single day because there's some guys on the outside that can run by them; there's some guys that can make some competitive catches."

Caleb Medford is one of those guys. The TCU transfer and former three-star recruit shined in his first day out for the Lobos, working a 6-foot-3, 205 pound frame up to head-turning speed for some of the cleanest routes of the day. Maybe it was having some familiarity going up against a 3-3-5 (the Horned Frogs and New Mexico share the same base defense) or maybe it was simply the defense seeing him live for the first time. But there's a smoothness to his play and production that pairs well with an easygoing personality. If anybody generated some hype on day one, it was Medford. - Albuquerque Journal

(DS#999 WR) rSr/2026

WR Caleb Medford, Kansas State
News Source: Albuquerque Journal
Share/Comment: Here

01/25/23 - Dante Cephas, rSr/2025, Kansas State, 6-0, 193 (DS#141 WR) + More +

Dante Cephas announced Sunday that he's transferring from Kent State to Penn State. Cephas, one of the best players available in the transfer portal, could become the Nittany Lions' No. 1 wide receiver in 2023 after racking up 130 catches for 1,984 yards and 12 touchdowns the past seasons with the Golden Flashes. The former Penn Hills star is slated to finish classes at Kent State before enrolling at Penn State in the summer. Cephas will have two years of eligibility remaining. Cephas was near the top of James Franklin's portal wish list and with reason.

The Pittsburgh native has the ability to change Penn State's offensive trajectory in 2023, just as he did with Penn Hills four years ago. "They're getting the complete package in Dante," former Penn Hills coach Jon LeDonne said. "He's a big, long, athletic receiver. Very, very explosive. He's not afraid to go across the middle. He's a strong individual as well." LeDonne called Cephas "a happy guy who's always in a good mood." The coach never had any issues with him in their two seasons together, only fond memories. LeDonne, now the coach at Pine-Richland, remembers arriving at Penn Hills in June 2017. One of the first things he did was watch tape from the 2016 junior varsity team to see if he had any up-and-comers. Cephas jumped out right away. "Some of these one-handed catches he was making and going up for everything and running after the catch," LeDonne said, "we knew we had a special player." - Tribune Review

(DS#141 WR) rSr/2025

WR Dante Cephas, Kansas State
News Source: Tribune Review
Share/Comment: Here

01/18/23 - Dante Cephas, rSr/2025, Kansas State, 6-0, 193 (DS#141 WR) + More +

Heir apparent Drew Allar has a new target. Dante Cephas, one of the best wide receivers available in the transfer portal, announced on Sunday that he will continue his career at Penn State. Cephas, a Pittsburgh native and Penn Hills graduate, joins the Nittany Lions after securing 130 catches for 1,984 yards and 12 touchdowns the past two seasons at Kent State. An All-MAC honoree, Cephas has two years of eligibility remaining.

Cephas' announcement came less than an hour after Penn State confirmed that it relieved wide receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield of his duties. Cephas is a significant addition to a Nittany Lion offense that loses three of its top targets entering the 2023 season. Wide receiver Parker Washington and tight end Brenton Strange left early for the NFL while Mitchell Tinsley ran out of eligibility, prompting Penn State to aggressively pursue playmakers in the portal. Cephas was always near the top of Penn State's list of targets, if not at the top. The 6-foot-1 receiver announced that he was entering the portal on Dec. 4, and he had an offer from head coach James Franklin and area recruiter Terry Smith a day later. - Tribune Review

(DS#141 WR) rSr/2025

WR Dante Cephas, Kansas State
News Source: Tribune Review
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Kansas State Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Kansas State Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development