CFB Top 50, #19: 2025 Kansas State Wildcats

by
Bracket Yard
August 4, 2025

Inside the top 20 with less than three weeks to go in the CFB Top 50 countdown, we have the 2025 Kansas State Wildcats at 19.

K-State is on an upward trend with Chris Klieman. Not good enough to win the Big 12 in prior years, evidently, but good enough to win the Big 12 in 2025? Perhaps. Sure, there is a team in the conference that others like more – and we will get to them in a few days – but unless they really hit the skids this season, expect the Wildcats to be in the conversation for a conference title and subsequent bid to the College Football Playoff.

2025 Kansas State Wildcats Basic Facts

Head Coach: Chris Klieman (7th season)

2025 Conference: Big 12 Conference

2024 Record: 9-4 (5-4), 8th in Big 12

Final Resolution of Last Season: Won Rate Bowl

2024 Scoring Offensive Rank: 46th (30.8)

2024 Scoring Defensive Rank: T-49th (23.4)

Kansas State Key Additions and Subtractions

IN – Jaron Tibbs, wide receiver. Transferred from Purdue.

IN – Gabe Powers, linebacker. Transferred from Ohio State.

OUT – Jacob Parrish, cornerback. Drafted by Tampa Bay in 3rd round of 2025 Draft.

OUT – DJ Giddens, running back. Drafted by Indianapolis in 5th round of 2025 Draft.

Best Game on the Schedule in 2025

October 25 at Kansas. This game could actually mean something, which makes it all the more interesting. Did we mention that K-State has won 16 in a row? The last two meetings have been one-score games.

2025 Kansas State Wildcats: Outlook

K-State will get another year of seeing what quarterback Avery Johnson can do. He probably could have completed a few more passes, and cut down on the 10 interceptions, but by and large, it was a good year for him. Keep in mind as well that he was productive on the ground, scoring as many touchdowns as the lead running back, DJ Giddens, who is now a pro. Dylan Edwards, who was also the kick returner last season, figures to assume the primary running back role, so expect him to have a significant role in both offense and special teams.

Austin Romaine was one of the stars of the defense last season, and he’s back, as is VJ Payne. However, Brendan Mott, who had a team-leading 8.5 sacks in 2024, is gone. The Wildcats will have to dial up that pass rush from somewhere, so perhaps Desmond Purnell and newcomer Gabe Powers will pick up that specific slack.

K-State gets no reprieve at all on their 2025 schedule, starting with a Week 0 game against Iowa State. The Wildcats lost last year’s game on the road, but this one is in Ireland. Even Army in Week 2 is not the easy layup that it used to be. The August 23rd game is going to set the tone for the season; can they beat one of the handful of teams that blocked them from winning the Big 12 last year? We won’t have to wait long to find out the answer.