![Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (OL27) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. \](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_22,w_3600,h_2025/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/172/01kpnprf36tekz4tyr0d.jpg "Mar 1, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (OL27) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. \")
Two former Kansas State football standouts were invited to the NFL Combine: center/offensive lineman Sam Hecht and defensive back VJ Payne. Should the current NFL mock draft predicitons stand, both could hear their names called after the first day.
Where Sam Hecht, VJ Payne stack up among other prospects in 2026 NFL Draft
Hecht played for the Wildcats from 2022-25, serving as the team's starting center on one of the conference's best offensive lines. During that time, he appeared in 42 games and earned a handful of Big 12 honors during his final two seasons.
According to his bio, Hecht saw 759 offensive snaps, and "Anchored an offensive line guided the Wildcats to a No. 10 ranking in sacks allowed." His lengthy career also included four victories over the Kansas Jayhawks.
Sam Hecht is an incredibly athletic, coordinated center prospect who could go as early as round 2 pic.twitter.com/ATiGRL5Ay1
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 16, 2026
Hecht is predicted to go in the fourth round according to USA Today, but is also a consideration for the third round by ESPN and The Athletic. CBS Sports even has him falling off the board in the third round with the 45th pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
VJ Payne projected later in 2026 NFL Draft
The same can’t be said for former Wildcats safety VJ Payne. Unlike Hecht, he is not projected among the top names at his position this year. That is not to say he lacks ability, only that experts expect him to come off the board later.
Similar to Hecht, Payne also played the entirety of his career with the Wildcats. He's shown tremendous growth throughout his time in Manhattan, ending his final season with 59 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception.
He appeared in 12 games last season, including conference matchups against Arizona and Utah where he recorded double-digit tackles. Against Arizona at home, Payne posted a season-high six solo tackles, a mark he matched again versus the Utes.
Draft boards favor Payne going earliest in the third round, some even projecting him a sixth round pick. Both NFL.com and The Athletic have him somewhere in the middle, likely to fall halfway through the fourth round. Depending on where he falls, both the Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers are likely landing spots.
Kansas State history in the NFL Draft
If either is selected within the first three rounds, it would mark a third straight year a Kansas State player is taken that early. Last season, that honor belonged to Jacob Parrish, the 84th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
A season prior, tight end Ben Sinnott was selected 53rd overall by the Washington Commanders. One round later, the Dallas Cowboys selected offensive guard Cooper Beebee with the 73rd pick. For comparison, Hecht is predicted to fall somewhere between Sinnott and Beebee. As for Payne, it could mean lingering a few rounds later than some of the recent greats.
The first round of the NFL Draft will begin on April 23. The second and third rounds will take place on April 24, with rounds 4–7 concluding the draft on April 25. More information, including the draft order can be found on ESPN.
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