The defense had its moments.
Overall, it was better than it looked and played in the 44-41 win over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl. Other than that game, the Wildcats only allowed more than 30 points once, and the 38 put up by BYU wasn’t all on the D.
There could be more takeaways, but the pass rush will be good again, the Big 12 ’s No. 2 run defense will hold up, and like the offensive side, the transfer portal pieces coming in will fill in the gaps.
2025 Kansas State Preview
Kansas State Offense Breakdown
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
- The linebacking corps will be a killer. Austin Romaine led the team with 96 stops in the middle, Desmond Purnell pulled in four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss on the outside, and Rex Van Wyhe and Gabe Powers (Ohio State) have hybrid size and skills on the other side. - Depending on the alignment, the Wildcat line is full of veterans, but it needs a star to bust out. Top transfer Jayshawn Ross from Alabama will give it a shot on the edge, but if he’s not it, Kansas State is still more than okay.
Damian Ilalio is a strongman on the nose, and the combination of Chiddi Obiazor and Travis Bates will work into the mix again. 340-pound Uso Seumalo is terrific in the tackle rotation, Cody Stufflebean is a big end, and … the line has the parts.
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Overall, it was better than it looked and played in the 44-41 win over Rutgers in the Rate Bowl. Other than that game, the Wildcats only allowed more than 30 points once, and the 38 put up by BYU wasn’t all on the D.
There could be more takeaways, but the pass rush will be good again, the Big 12 ’s No. 2 run defense will hold up, and like the offensive side, the transfer portal pieces coming in will fill in the gaps.
Kansas State Wildcats Preview 2025: Defense
Dec 26, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Austin Romaine (45) against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. X CFN , Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu , CFN2025 Kansas State Preview
Kansas State Offense Breakdown
Season Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
- The linebacking corps will be a killer. Austin Romaine led the team with 96 stops in the middle, Desmond Purnell pulled in four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss on the outside, and Rex Van Wyhe and Gabe Powers (Ohio State) have hybrid size and skills on the other side. - Depending on the alignment, the Wildcat line is full of veterans, but it needs a star to bust out. Top transfer Jayshawn Ross from Alabama will give it a shot on the edge, but if he’s not it, Kansas State is still more than okay.
Damian Ilalio is a strongman on the nose, and the combination of Chiddi Obiazor and Travis Bates will work into the mix again. 340-pound Uso Seumalo is terrific in the tackle rotation, Cody Stufflebean is a big end, and … the line has the parts.
