Day 3 steal? Colts nab K-State’s D.J. Giddens at pick 151

Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens is headed to the NFL.

The 6-foot-1, 212-pound junior was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 151 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday, becoming the latest Wildcat to make the leap to the league.

It marks the fourth straight year Kansas State has had at least two players drafted.

Giddens was a consistent force in Manhattan, rushing for over 1,200 yards in each of the last two seasons and scoring 23 career touchdowns on the ground. He also added value in the passing game, hauling in 20-plus receptions in both his sophomore and junior years—showcasing a well-rounded skill set that fits today’s NFL backfield mold.

He was projected to go earlier in several mocks. ESPN had him slotted at No. 94 to the Cleveland Browns in last week’s projections, but Giddens slid into Day 3, where the Colts picked him up.

“Giddens sets up his blocks and makes late cuts behind them. And in open space, he can make defenders miss,” ESPN’s Steve Muench said in his scouting report. “He might not be a three-down back early, but he can produce after the catch.”

Giddens flashed elite athleticism at the Combine—clocking a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash (seventh among RBs), while tying for second among backs in both the broad jump (10'10") and vertical (39.5").

“Giddens is one of my favorite backs in this class,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid wrote. “He’s a patient runner who can make defenders miss in short areas and could start early.”

Kansas State continues to develop NFL talent under head coach Chris Klieman. Since 2022, the Wildcats have had at least two players drafted each year, starting with QB Skylar Thompson and DB Russ Yeast. Twelve players in total have been selected during Klieman’s tenure.

The Wildcats finished the 2024 season 9–4 (5–4 Big 12), closing out the year with a 44–41 win over Rutgers in the Dec. 26 bowl game. K-State opens the 2025 season overseas, taking on Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.