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The next big breakout? K-State's DJ Giddens ready to shine in Colts backfield

After dominating in Manhattan and turning heads at the Combine, Giddens looks set to make an immediate impact
ByBen Spicer|
Nov 23, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

The Colts’ fifth-round pick DJ Giddens is quietly staking his claim in Indy’s backfield, impressing coaches and teammates with a skill set that fits perfectly alongside Jonathan Taylor.

Picked 151st overall in the fifth round of this year’s NFL Draft, Giddens continues Kansas State’s recent trend of producing multiple NFL-caliber players — marking the Wildcats’ fourth straight year with at least two draft picks.

Colts beat reporter Jake Arthur caught up with running backs coach De'Andre Smith to discuss Giddens’ potential alongside star back Jonathan Taylor.

“Smith said Giddens has looked outstanding—you wouldn’t even guess he was dealing with a wrist injury,” Arthur told listeners on the Locked On Colts podcast. “Through the entire offseason, he didn’t drop a single pass.”

At Kansas State, Giddens was a workhorse, rushing for over 1,200 yards in back-to-back seasons while scoring 23 career rushing touchdowns.

He’s no one-dimensional back, either — Giddens also hauled in 20-plus catches in both his sophomore and junior seasons, showing off a skill set that fits perfectly in today’s NFL game.

He turned heads at the NFL Combine, clocking a blazing 4.43-second 40-yard dash (seventh-best among running backs) and ranking near the top in both broad jump (10'10") and vertical leap (39.5").

Standing 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, Giddens combines size, speed, and versatility — a package that makes him an intriguing weapon for the Colts’ offense as they look to add punch behind Jonathan Taylor.

Kansas State enters the 2025 season ranked No. 12 in USA Today’s preseason poll and No. 16 in Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt’s rankings. The Wildcats will kick off their season in style, taking on Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.

The Wildcats finished the 2024 campaign 9–4 overall, including a 5–4 mark in Big 12 play, and capped the year with a thrilling 44–41 bowl victory over Rutgers.