A chance airport encounter turned into a recruiting pitch this week, as former NFL head coach Jon Gruden ran into free-agent guard and Kansas State alum Dalton Risner and had one message for the league: "Sign the guy."
Risner, 29, spent four seasons with the Denver Broncos and started 11 games last year for the Minnesota Vikings. He’s logged 81 starts in 87 career games—and now he’s looking for his next opportunity.
"You want a tough, hard-nosed guard—he can play both sides, and I bet he can play center," Gruden said in a selfie video with Risner. "Any of you coaches or GMs out there: sign him."
My guyyyy @BarstoolGruden https://t.co/2zRZgf2SOd
— Dalton Risner (@Dalton_Risner66) June 25, 2025
Risner bumped into Gruden at a Tampa-area airport and couldn’t resist saying hello. Gruden coached him during the 2019 Senior Bowl, shortly before Risner was drafted 41st overall by Denver.
"This is my guy right here," Risner said in the video. "One of my favorite coaches I’ve had. He made my Senior Bowl experience one of the most memorable."
A second-round pick out of K-State, Risner was an anchor on the Broncos’ offensive line from 2019 to 2022, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors in his first season. He held the starting left guard job for four straight years, missing only four games due to injury.
He signed with Minnesota in 2023 and took over the starting LG role by Week 7. After re-signing on May 31, 2024, Risner was placed on injured reserve just before the season, but returned to action on Nov. 2.
Back in Manhattan, the Wildcats are getting national love ahead of the 2025 season. K-State landed at No. 12 in USA Today’s Top 25, No. 16 in FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt rankings, and No. 21 in ESPN’s Football Power Index—highest among Big 12 teams.
The Wildcats finished 9–4 last year (5–4 Big 12), closing with a wild 44–41 bowl win over Rutgers. With veteran leadership and a high-powered offense, K-State has its eyes on a Big 12 title—and a shot at the College Football Playoff.