The Kansas State Wildcats’ offense wasn’t the only side of the ball welcoming new additions from the transfer portal in 2026. On defense, the Wildcats also made moves.
And these additions to the Wildcats’ defense aren't light. Get ready to be impressed.
Kansas State football’s defensive overhaul is poised to take over the conference.
Six new Wildcats are slated to join the defensive line – Edge rushers Elijah Hill, Jayden Bryant and Wendell Gregory make up the first half, followed by De’Arieun Hicks, Austin Ramsey and Kamari Burns.
Both Burns and Gregory the Wildcats from inside the Big 12 conference, Gregory from Oklahoma State and Burns from Cincinnati. Gregory posted 4 sacks and logged a single forced fumble for the Cowboys, leaving his mark as one of the lone bright spots on a team that failed to win a single game in conference play.
Burns enters from Cincinnati after seeing limited playing time and recording only 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks. He only appeared in two games for the Bearcats in 2025.
Gregory is the lone four-star of the group, the rest of the edge rushers and defensive lineman one below that with three. But in the transfer portal, stars don’t matter, reps do. Put any one of these guys on the field at the right time and it’s game over.
Outgoing transfers include Jayshawn Ross, Asher Tomaszewski, Chiddi Obiazor, Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, Tobi Osunsanmi, Ryan Davis and Truman Griffith.
Mekhi Mason, Jacobi Oliphant Jr. among the lone incoming linebackers
Only two linebackers are currently enrolled, the second-lowest number of transfers at any position this season. Jacobi Oliphant Jr. also joins the Wildcats as a former Cowboy, and Mekhi Mason makes the trip to the midwest from Louisiana Tech.
Oliphant’s time at Oklahoma State spanned two seasons, ending with 27 total tackles and two sacks in 2025. Both him and Gregory logged similar game totals, and joined the Wildcats after, again, a lackluster 1-11 campaign.
Mason was named the defensive player of the week from Conference USA after week one of the regular season. He ended the season with 68 tackles, 29 solo and 3.5 sacks and a point differential line of four.
Today I was informed by the KSU coaching staff that they are releasing me. Therefore, I am immediately entering the portal with 4 years of eligibility remaining.
— Maguire Richman (@MaguireRichman) January 6, 2026
6”2 220lbs
Agent: @jsirles71 pic.twitter.com/NwID7e2JfM
Outgoing transfers include Maguire Richman, Jake Clifton, Austin Romaine and Ralph Ortiz.
Special teams welcomes three new faces from, two from mid-major competition
Long snapper Jaxson Duffield, kicker Robert Hammond III and punter Dylan Davidson currently sit as the team’s only three incoming special teams transfers. Davidson joins from the Division II level, Hammond from Toledo and Duffield the third defensive transfer from Oklahoma State.
According to his bio, Duffield was the starting long snapper on punts, field goals and point after attempts at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. He was the nation’s 10th-ranked long snapper in 2025.
Hammon’s longest field goal last season as a place kicker with the Rockers was 50 yards out. His only other two kicks between 40-49 yards were split, one successful and the other falling wide.
Davidson’s stats from Emporia State are unknown.
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