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

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.

Cephas also fielded offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, Pitt, Oklahoma, Miami and more, making him one of the most sought-after players in the portal. Cephas was ranked No. 24 overall among portal players, according to on3. This level of attention is a nice change of pace for Cephas, who was lightly recruited coming out of Penn Hills. The former teammate of Penn State cornerback Daequan Hardy didn't receive any Power Five offers a few years ago, garnering interest from only Kent State, Bowling Green, Toledo, Eastern Kentucky and Howard. Now, Cephas immediately becomes the most prolific receiver in Penn State's room. The Nittany Lions also have KeAndre Lambert-Smith (389 yards, four TDs in 2022) and Harrison Wallace III (273 yards, one TD) at receiver as well as a crop of freshmen from the 2022 recruiting class. Tight end Theo Johnson is expected to return, too. - Tribune Review

(DS#141 WR) rSr/2025

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

01/15/23 - 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. - Penn Live

(DS#141 WR) rSr/2025

WR Dante Cephas, Kansas State
News Source: Penn Live
Share/Comment: Here

01/15/23 - Randen Plattner, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-2, 244 (DS#8 LS) + More +

Few, if any, Kansas State football fans were on the edge of their seat waiting to learn if Randen Plattner intended to return to the Wildcats as a "super senior" next season. But that didn't stop the long snapper from making an announcement about his future plans this week. Turns out, Plattner has decided to stay in school for one more year of special teams duty. And he shared his decision in a humorous way that will be remembered more than the announcements from many of his high profile teammates. Leave it to the long snapper to share Kansas State's most entertaining social media post of the month.

"Wildcat Nation, what a special season to be a part of," he wrote. "I will cherish every part of the 2022 season and I am blessed to be a part of such a special group of guys. With that being said, 'Ya know a lot of people go to college for seven years.' I'm not gonna be a doctor, but I'm having a great time. Let's do it again." Believe it or not, Plattner could be a valuable addition to the K-State football team next season. He has served as the squad's primary long snapper on field goals and punts for each of the past two seasons without making any mistakes. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#8 LS) rSr/2024

LS Randen Plattner, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

01/14/23 - Daniel Green, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-2, 245 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

Kansas State's football team got a lot better on defense Saturday, and that's not even counting a key transfer portal addition. Middle linebacker Daniel Green, a preseason All-Big 12 pick, announced via social media that he is returning next year as a super-senior after an injury-plagued 2022 season.

"I have thought long and hard about leaving and entering the 2023 NFL draft," he wrote. "After a season plagued by injury and not being 100% for most of the year, I wanted to finish my college career playing my best ball. See y'all in the fall." Green, a 6-foot-3, 242-pound senior from Portland, briefly entertained thoughts of leaving after a breakout junior year in 2021 when he led the team in tackles with 89 and tackles for loss with 16, while recording three sacks and two fumble recoveries. But he decided to return after an 8-5 season in hopes of helping the Wildcats win a conference championship. - Salina Journal

(DS#999 ILB) rSr/2024

ILB Daniel Green, Kansas State
News Source: Salina Journal
Share/Comment: Here

01/14/23 - *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Jr/2023, Kansas State, 6-3, 255 (DS#6 DE) + More +

After three standout seasons at defensive end for Kansas State, Anudike-Uzomah made the highly-anticipated announcement Thursday via social media that he is bypassing his senior season and will enter the 2023 NFL draft. Anudike-Uzomah, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound junior from Kansas City, Missouri, arrived at K-State for the 2020 season as an unheralded recruit from Lee's Summit High School. He made it on the field for five games as a true freshman but really broke out the following year to become one of the most dominant edge rushers in Wildcat history. Running back Deuce Vaughn also declared for the draft as did wide receiver Malik Knowles and cornerback Julius Brents, both seniors who were eligible to return as super-seniors. Senior receiver Phillip Brooks announced Tuesday that he will take advantage of the extra year granted in response to the coronavirus pandemic. - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#6 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
Share/Comment: Here

01/12/23 - *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Jr/2023, Kansas State, 6-3, 255 (DS#6 DE) + More +

The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, a 5X time All-American in 2022, Felix Anudike-Uzomah will take his talents to the NFL. Uzomah announced on his Twitter account Thursday afternoon that he will declare for the 2023 NFL Draft. Uzomah finished the 2022 campaign with 46 tackles, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass break up. Overall, "King" Felix ends his K-State career with 31 games played, 100 total tackles, 20.5 sacks (sixth in school history) and eight forced fumbles. - WIBW TV, Kansas

(DS#6 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
News Source: WIBW TV, Kansas
Share/Comment: Here

01/12/23 - Phillip Brooks, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 5-07, 175 (DS#82 WR) + More +

Not only did the Wildcats get help through the transfer portal on Tuesday, but they also learned that wide receiver Phillip Brooks will return for a super-senior sixth year. With Brooks announcing his decision, K-State's rebuilding task at wide receiver became less daunting. The Wildcats' top three receivers - Malik Knowles, Kade Warner and Brooks - all were seniors, and Knowles already announced that he will not be back, while Warner's eligibility ran out.

Brooks not only ranked third on the team with 45 catches and second in receiving yards with 587 yards along with four touchdowns, but also was the Wildcats' top punt returner. He begins his final season with 129 career receptions for 1,538 yards and nine touchdowns, plus four punt return scores. - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#82 WR) rSr/2024

WR Phillip Brooks, Kansas State
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
Share/Comment: Here

01/07/23 - Cooper Beebe, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-3, 322 (DS#3 OG) + More +

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman has some good news to share. He expects the Wildcats to return all five starters on the offensive line next season. That includes star left guard Cooper Beebe, who was named Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year following a tremendous junior campaign with the Wildcats. "We have got a bunch of our offensive linemen returning," Klieman told ESPN on Thursday while appearing on College Football Live. "I think everybody, our top eight offensive linemen, are returning. So that is a pretty good spot." Though none of K-State's veteran offensive linemen have publicly announced that they will return for another season blocking together in front of Will Howard, it seemed like a strong possibility that they would stick together.

Beebe told reporters before the Sugar Bowl that K-State's entire offensive line had discussed the possibility of "running it back" for one more year. "We definitely have been in talks," Beebe said last week. "We have sat down at dinner a couple times and talked about it. There's nothing that has been ironed out, and it's still up in the air. But we are definitely in talks. If one of us comes back I think it's an all type of deal." It appears as though that is the plan. Beebe was a candidate to declare as an early entrant for the NFL Draft along with running back Deuce Vaughn, but it looks like he has decided to remain in college for one more year. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#3 OG) rSr/2024

OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

01/07/23 - Malik Knowles, rSr/2023, Kansas State, 6-2, 196 (DS#60 WR) + More +

The Kansas State football team will need to replace a pair of its top playmakers next season. Malik Knowles, a senior receiver who led the Wildcats in catches (48) and receiving yards (725) this past season, has decided to forgo an extra year of college football and declare for the NFL Draft. Knowles announced his decision via social media on Thursday, saying that he had already received an invitation to compete at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine that takes place before the draft. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#60 WR) rSr/2023

WR Malik Knowles, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

01/04/23 - *Deuce Vaughn, Jr/2023, Kansas State, 5-05, 179 (DS#17 RB) + More +

Deuce Vaughn, the second-leading rusher in Kansas State football history, has played his last game as a Wildcat. Vaughn, a two-time consensus All-American as an all-purpose back, announced on social media Monday that he is passing up his senior season and entering the 2023 NFL draft. Vaughn rushed for 1,558 yards this season, moving into second place on the school career chart with 3,604. Only former All-American and K-State Hall of Famer Darren Sproles had more with 4,979 from 2001-04.

Vaughn's 1,936 all-purpose yards this year - he also caught 42 passes for 378 yards - pushed him into second place all-time for the Wildcats with 5,029, which again trails only Sproles' 6,812 total. Vaughn, who repeatedly brushed aside questions about his future until the end of the season, made his announcement two days after rushing for 133 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown, in K-State's 45-20 Sugar Bowl loss to Alabama. - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#17 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
Share/Comment: Here

12/30/22 - Cooper Beebe, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-3, 322 (DS#3 OG) + More +

Cooper Beebe isn't the only member of Kansas State's offensive line who has a decision to make after the Wildcats take on Alabama at the Sugar Bowl later this week. Three of his fellow blockers (left tackle KT Leveston, center Hayden Gillum and right tackle Christian Duffie) all have the option to return to college and play one more season with the Wildcats as "super seniors." That means the K-State offensive line can choose to "run it back" next year and stay completely intact as a blocking unit in 2023. What are the odds that will happen? Higher than you might think.

"We definitely have been in talks," Beebe said. "We have sat down at dinner a couple times and talked about it. There's nothing that has been ironed out, and it's still up in the air. But we are definitely in talks. If one of us comes back I think it's an all type of deal." Should that happen, it would be excellent news for K-State as the Wildcats look to reload next season with star running back Deuce Vaughn potentially leaving for the NFL and Will Howard returning as starting quarterback. It sounds like K-State offensive coordinator Collin Klein is expecting good news. He told reporters on Thursday that he won't be surprised if the majority of the O-Line returns for one more year. Beebe is obviously the biggest key to the equation. The Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year is only a junior, but he is a projected pick in the upcoming NFL Draft if he decides to declare early. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#3 OG) rSr/2024

OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

12/29/22 - *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Jr/2023, Kansas State, 6-3, 255 (DS#6 DE) + More +

Much has been made about Alabama stars Bryce Young and Will Anderson choosing to play in the Sugar Bowl later this week against Kansas State when most other elite NFL Draft prospects are deciding to "opt out" of postseason games. But let's not forget that the Wildcats have some future NFL prospects on their roster, too. No one would have blamed Felix Anudike-Uzomah, in particular, for skipping this game and focusing on his future as a professional athlete. The junior K-State defensive end was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year after piling up 44 tackles and sacking opposing quarterbacks 8 1/2 times this season. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he is one of the most difficult edge rushers to block in all of college football.

Anudike-Uzomah will hear his name called in the 2023 NFL Draft if he decides to declare early as a junior, or in 2024, if he chooses to return to college for one more year. For now, he is torn on when he should make the leap. "I haven't really decided that yet," Anudike-Uzomah said Wednesday. "I'm still talking with my parents about it, just to make sure I finalize things and make the right decision on what I'm going to do. "Right now, I really want to focus on this. If you ask me questions about it after the game I can probably give you a better answer. But I'm still not 100% sure on it." - The Kansas City Star

(DS#6 DE) Jr/2023

DE *Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

12/24/22 - Cooper Beebe, rSr/2024, Kansas State, 6-3, 322 (DS#3 OG) + More +

Various draft experts have Beebe going anywhere from the second round to the third day of the 2023 NFL draft, should he decide to bypass his senior year. But that decision will have to wait. "I knew that question was coming before I even walked in here," Beebe said with a chuckle Monday during the Wildcats' first media availability since the Big 12 championship game. "Right now, that's not something I'm focused on. I'm going to worry about that after the bowl game. Right now I'm just focused on Alabama." After the Sugar Bowl, Beebe will have a decision to make. Does he try his luck at the next level, or does he return and have a chance to play alongside younger brother Camden Beebe, who signed a letter of intent with the Wildcats on Wednesday?

"We've kind of already talked about it a little bit," he said. "Obviously there's a lot of things that play into it. "My brother coming here next year plays a factor into that, but it's definitely going to be a family decision for sure." Until then, there is work left to be done. "This season was huge," Beebe said of the Big 12 championship. "We knew at the start that we had a team this year and this was our year to win it. "We (achieved) our goal, but our season's not over. We've still got a story to write." - Topeka Capital Journal

(DS#3 OG) rSr/2024

OG Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
News Source: Topeka Capital Journal
Share/Comment: Here

12/21/22 - Adrian Martinez, rSr/2023, Kansas State, 6-2, 221 (DS#24 QB) + More +

Though he hasn't played since suffering an injury against Baylor on Nov. 12 he has remained involved with the team by participating in warm-up drills before games and serving as a captain during the coin toss. His body has healed enough that he was even able to return to practice earlier this week. Klieman said Martinez threw the ball around on Monday and took some reps with the second-team offense. He looked good. "We eased him back into it," Klieman said.

"We'll see how he came out of it. We will probably give him a few more reps these next few days and push him a little bit more." If Martinez is deemed healthy enough to play in the Sugar Bowl, he could add a new wrinkle to K-State's offense. The Nebraska transfer is a dual-threat passer who is capable of beating teams with both his arm and his legs. He is a much more mobile quarterback than Howard, and he ran for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns this season in addition to the 1,261 yards and six touchdowns he put up as a passer. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#24 QB) rSr/2023

QB Adrian Martinez, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
Share/Comment: Here

12/20/22 - *Deuce Vaughn, Jr/2023, Kansas State, 5-05, 179 (DS#17 RB) + More +

Deuce Vaughn doesn't know if he will return to Kansas State next year and terrorize Big 12 defenses for one more season. There is a chance that the junior running back will declare early for the NFL Draft and spend the rest of his football career playing at the professional level. After piling up 4,751 total yards and scoring 42 touchdowns for the Wildcats over the past three seasons, the two-time consensus All-American will have a difficult decision to make about his future at some point in the coming weeks. He doesn't know which way he will ultimately lean.

But Vaughn can say one thing with absolute certainty at the moment: He will play against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The term "opt out" is simply not in his vocabulary. "The Sugar Bowl is a game I have wanted to play in since I was a little kid," Vaughn said. "I have watched it every single year, going back to when Ohio State was playing against Alabama with Ezekiel Elliott. Just going up against Alabama after all the matchups they have had playing Clemson and Ohio State and everyone else, this type of game is something I am going to relish. Playing in the Superdome is going to be big time." Vaughn is so amped for the Sugar Bowl that he promised to wait until after the game is over on Dec. 31 to let himself ponder his future. - The Kansas City Star

(DS#17 RB) Jr/2023

RB *Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
News Source: The Kansas City Star
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