NFL Dreams: Which K-State stars are draft-bound?

The Kansas State football team may not have had the season they hoped for, but several Wildcats are still expected to hear their names called during next week’s NFL Draft.

Running back DJ Giddens, cornerback Jacob Parrish, and safety Marques Sigle are the three players most likely to be drafted.

Each athlete boosted their stock with strong performances at the NFL Combine and Big 12 Pro Day. Giddens clocked a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, ranking him No. 7 among running backs at the combine.

Parrish, a native of Olathe, Kan., ran an impressive 4.35-second 40-yard dash, while Sigle posted a blazing 4.37 — the fastest among all safeties this year and one of the top 10 times for his position all-time.

Giddens, a 6-foot-1, 212-pound junior, rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons and scored 23 total rushing touchdowns over his three-year career. Also a threat as a receiver, he caught 20-plus passes in both his sophomore and junior campaigns, offering a diverse skill set for NFL teams looking for a capable pass-catcher and willing blocker out of the backfield.

Giddens is projected to go in the early rounds, though he could be a steal for any team looking for value in the middle rounds.

Parrish, a 5-foot-10 defensive back, brings positional versatility, with the ability to cover both outside and in the slot.

A 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, Parrish started all 12 regular-season games last season, finishing with 50 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and eight passes defended.

While his size may push him into the middle rounds, he’s expected to be a value pick who will make whichever team selects him very happy.

Sigle appeared in 50 career games, including the final 25 at Kansas State after transferring from North Dakota State. He started every game last season, ranking fourth on the team with 60 tackles, along with 6.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and six passes defended.

Originally projected as a potential undrafted free agent, Sigle’s standout combine performance has likely boosted his draft stock into the middle rounds. At minimum, he should be a strong special teams contributor as a rookie.

Other draft prospects with K-State ties include Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, who set K-State’s career record for touchdown passes (48). He also ranks fourth in career completions and fifth in passing yards, attempts, and total offense per game.

Additional draft-eligible players with slimmer chances of being selected include senior defensive end Brendan Mott, senior offensive tackle Easton Kilty, and senior linebacker Austin Moore.

Wide receivers Dante Cephas and Jadon Jackson will likely need to impress teams during offseason workouts to earn a spot on an NFL roster.