2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Kansas State Wildcats

Team: Kansas State
Mascot: Wildcats
Student Population: 20,295
Established: 1863
Motto: “Rule by Obeying Nature’s Laws”
Location: Manhattan, Kansas
Head Coach: Chris Klieman
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Wells
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Klanderman
2024 Record: 9-4

Rankings

SP+: 18
FPI: 21
Kelly Ford: 20

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 5

The Wildcats are the safest bet in the Big 12 under Chris Klieman after winning 36 games over the past four years. Second-year starting quarterback Avery Johnson is set to take a big leap, especially with an infusion of talent to the wide receiving corps. On the downside, KSU returns only 54% of production on defense, and and has to replace Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year Brendan Mott. (+650)

SB Nation: 1

The Wildcats are one of the most consistent programs in the country, even if they don’t always make it to the promised land. Head coach Chris Klieman has built this program to continue their sustained success, and in 2025 it could lead to their first Big 12 title since 2022. They return the second most production in the conference, and offensively they return a lot of promising talent. QB Avery Johnson is back under center, and while his passing is still coming along, he’s a great runner and has shown flashes of downfield explosiveness with his arm. RB Dylan Edwards coming back gives the Wildcats a multifaceted threat as a runner and receiver. On the outside, WR Jayce Brown is a slot receiver, but he’s extremely effective getting separation at every level of the field.

Defensively, they return a lot of talent. Safety VJ Payne is a really fun player, and the defensive line has a lot of depth on it as well. The Wildcats finished the season 39th in pressure rate, but their 20.7% sack rate is in the top 15. If they can continue to get after the QB like they did last season, a Big 12 title could be theirs.

24/7 Sports: 4

Kansas State banked on quarterback Avery Johnson to take that next step as a second-year starter in 2025. The ups and downs by the then-sophomore last season ultimately cost the Wildcats a chance at a spot in the Big 12 title game. Still, the talent is there with big-play ability both through the air and on the ground. Kansas State has won at least eight games in each of the past four seasons under head coach Chris Klieman, who has built one of the most consistent programs in the Big 12 — a league that thrives on parity.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 56 | Big 12 Rank 14 (17 players)
Rivals: National Rank 77 | Big 12 Rank 13 (12 players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 8.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 1

Kansas State has been a model of consistency under coach Chris Klieman. The program has won at least eight games in each of the last four years and is 18-9 in Big 12 contests since 2022. With a veteran roster returning, along with a favorable schedule, a return to the conference title game should be the expectation for the Wildcats.

Quarterback Avery Johnson is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. In his first year as the starter, Johnson averaged 255.2 total yards a game and accounted for 32 overall scores. New coordinator Matt Wells should help Johnson continue to refine his game (especially as a passer) and earn a place among the top quarterbacks in the nation. The junior has plenty of help in the backfield with Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson providing a solid one-two punch. Top receiver Jayce Brown is also back, but more weapons need to emerge to help Johnson reach his potential. The offensive line is also in transition with three new starters.

Aiding Kansas State’s hopes of a Big 12 title is five returning starters off a defense that limited opponents to 5.2 yards a play last season. Linebacker Austin Romaine is one of the best in college football, while the line is arguably tops in the Big 12. Coordinator Joe Klanderman has some shuffling to do in the secondary.