10 Wildcats drafted under Chris Klieman: A look at their NFL journeys

Since taking over as head coach, Chris Klieman has helped guide 10 Kansas State players to the NFL through the draft—and with at least three more expected to be selected this coming weekend, that number is set to grow.

It’s been an impressive run for the program, especially considering that no K-State players were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Here’s a look back at the 10 Wildcats who’ve been drafted under Klieman’s watch, and where they are now.

2021
The 2021 draft featured just one Wildcat selection: 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end Wyatt Hubert, who was taken in the seventh round (235th overall) by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Unfortunately, Hubert’s career never fully got off the ground. He tore his pectoral muscle in the offseason and was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the 2021 season. Despite efforts to return, he officially announced his retirement on August 13, 2022.

2022
The 2022 draft was more fruitful for K-State, with longtime starting quarterback Skylar Thompson and defensive back Russ Yeast both selected.

Thompson was taken by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round (247th overall) and spent three seasons there before recently joining the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. He’s served as a solid backup, even starting a playoff game for Miami. In his career, he’s completed 81 of 138 passes for 721 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Yeast was also a seventh-round pick (253rd overall), beginning his NFL journey with the Los Angeles Rams. He earned a starting role in 2023 but was later replaced and released. Since then, he’s had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, and Houston Texans during the 2024 season.

2023
The 2023 draft was a standout year for the Wildcats, with four players selected:

Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE (1st round, Kansas City Chiefs)

Julius Brents, CB (2nd round, Indianapolis Colts)

Josh Hayes, S (6th round, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Deuce Vaughn, RB (6th round, Dallas Cowboys)

Anudike-Uzomah capped off his second season with a Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers. He recorded 14 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in the regular season, and added a key tackle for a 4-yard loss in the Super Bowl. To date, he has played in 34 games, recording 41 tackles and three sacks.

Brents has appeared in 11 games over two seasons with the Colts, notching 46 tackles and one interception. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on September 10, 2024.

Vaughn has played in 14 games over two seasons with the Cowboys, totaling just 40 touches. His best game came on January 5, when he rushed six times for a career-high 37 yards (6.2 yards per carry).

Hayes has been a steady contributor for the Buccaneers, appearing in 30 games with 52 tackles and one fumble recovery.

2024
Last year’s draft added three more Wildcats to the league:

Cooper Beebe, OL (Dallas Cowboys)

Ben Sinnott, TE (Washington Commanders)

K.T. Leveston Jr., OL (Los Angeles Rams)

Beebe transitioned to center for the Cowboys and claimed the starting job in his rookie season. With former K-State offensive coordinator and O-line coach Conor Riley now on the Cowboys’ staff, Beebe looks set to be a long-term fixture on their offensive line.

Sinnott made a quick impact, catching his first career touchdown—a three-yard reception—in Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers. He finished the season with five catches for 28 yards and one touchdown, helping the Commanders make the playoffs.

Leveston was placed on injured reserve on August 27 and did not appear in any regular-season games.