This Kansas State underdog could be the NFL’s next big surprise

The NFL Draft is in the rearview mirror, but for a handful of Kansas State standouts, the real work is just beginning.

While stars like D.J. Giddens, Jacob Parrish, and Marques Sigle earned guaranteed contracts and camp invites, others are trying to crash the party the hard way — as undrafted free agents.

So far, cornerback Keenan Garber (Vikings), offensive lineman Easton Kilty (Saints), linebacker Austin Moore, kicker Chris Tennant, and wide receivers Dante Cephas and Ty Bowman (all Chiefs invites) have secured a shot to prove themselves.

More names from last year’s squad could get a look soon — including DE Brendan Mott, OL Hadley Panzer, WR Jadon Jackson, and DB Jordan Riley.

The road to a 53-man roster is brutal. But a few Cats may just have what it takes. Here are two UDFAs with the best chance to stick:

Easton Kilty – OT, Saints

If you’re looking for a dark horse to make a 53, start with Easton Kilty.

The 6-foot-6, 307-pound left tackle was a rock on K-State’s line in 2023, starting all 13 games and logging 763 offensive snaps. He was a Second-Team All-Big 12 selection and even picked up some Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year votes. Not bad for a guy who started his career at North Dakota.

What sets Kilty apart is his polish and experience — 51 career games, 50 starts. He stepped in immediately after transferring and didn’t miss a beat. That kind of plug-and-play maturity is rare.

In New Orleans, he joins a Saints team with a brand-new coaching staff and no baked-in loyalties. If Kilty can show swing tackle potential — playing both left and right — he’s got the size, technique, and mindset to earn a roster spot, or at the very least, a strong look on the practice squad with upside to climb.

Austin Moore – LB, Chiefs Invite

Every year, there’s a guy who refuses to go away. For K-State, that guy was Austin Moore — and he might be again.

Undersized, overlooked, and originally a walk-on, Moore turned into a captain and one of the most dependable defenders in the Big 12. He started 41 games for the Wildcats, including the last 40 in a row. In 2023, he finished third on the team with 63 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, and a pass breakup.

At 6-1, 220, Moore doesn’t check every box physically — but his football IQ, instincts, and motor jump off the film. He’s not going to be a prototypical three-down backer in most schemes, but he can thrive on special teams and in sub-packages, especially in a league that values coverage skills from linebackers.

If you’re betting on grit and football smarts — the kind that wins coaches over in meetings and drills — Moore is a name to watch in camp.

The bottom line: they weren’t drafted. But Kilty and Moore have the résumé, attitude, and opportunity to make noise this summer. For a pair of former Wildcats, the NFL dream is still very much alive.