Everything points toward a strong start for first-year Kansas State head coach Collin Klein, and preseason polls seem to back up that optimism. Even so, there are still a few problem areas the Wildcats can’t afford to ignore heading into the season.
Kansas State football's biggest warning signs ahead of 2026 season
The defensive line stands out as the Wildcats' biggest area of concern heading into the season. Unlike the backfield groups, there isn’t the same level of proven depth up front. While the linebacker room is headlined by Jacobi Oliphant Jr. and features several potential breakout candidates, the thin margin for error in the trenches is difficult to ignore.
That lack of pressure could translate into real struggles once Big 12 play begins. If it isn’t addressed, opposing quarterbacks will get comfortable in the pocket. It’s a position group that needs at least stability, if not minimal injuries, along with clear signs of development to hold up over a full season.
Continued production from Avery Johnson, Wildcats offense
It’s less about squeezing extra talent out of the Kansas State offense next season and more about eliminating the sloppy mistakes that limited its ceiling in each of the past two seasons. That’s the real standard moving forward. Incoming transfers at the skill positions will need to adjust quickly and deliver consistent production, fitting into the system rather than trying to redefine it.
Ultimately, this isn’t a Wildcats-specific problem. It’s the reality of modern college football roster turnover. Success comes down to how quickly new pieces settle into the right roles and how cleanly the transition from spring ball to the regular season is handled.
And while talent still matters, one player alone isn’t going to transform the offense. If the new additions can’t complement the returning core and maintain consistency, the unit’s margin for error disappears fast.
Unproven replacements in key leadership roles
Kansas State enters next season with varying levels of uncertainty at both center and safety after the departures of last season's starters, Sam Hecht and VJ Payne, to the 2026 NFL Draft. And replacing them, it's easier said than done.
Hecht’s departure leaves Kansas State projected to rely on last season’s backup, Kyle Rakers, at center. He's got the size, just hasn't seen the field to the degree Hecht did in his final season. At the safety position, things remain unsettled. Multiple candidates are still in the running for Payne's spot without a clear frontrunner.
The concern isn’t just about replacing talent, but whether those stepping in can match the consistency and communication of the natural-born leaders they’re replacing. In a conference where explosive plays are common, any drop-off in execution or leadership could quickly turn into a liability.
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