- Head Coach: Chris Klieman (seventh season)
- 2024 Record: 9-4 (won Rate Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 48th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 7.2
- FanDuel Win Total: 8.5
2024 Recap
Kansas State has been a well-oiled machine in six years with Chris Klieman as head coach. The Wildcats have won at least eight games in five of those campaigns, and the only outlier was the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
Kansas State is now coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons, and it’s fair to expect much of the same in 2025. The program is built on toughness, both in its run game and defense. The latter features the best linebacker unit in the Big 12. Quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards will lead the rushing attack, and Johnson’s development as a passer will determine the Wildcats’ true ceiling.
Biggest Strength: The middle of the defense
Kansas State has a top-10 linebacker unit in college football, headlined by a top-five linebacker in junior Austin Romaine. The Wildcats also added Arizona safety transfer Gunner Maldonado, who battled injuries this past season but earned a 77.1 PFF overall grade in 2023.
Biggest Weakness: Will the passing game improve?
Avery Johnson is back at quarterback, but he ranked just 60th among FBS quarterbacks with in PFF passing grade (72.9) as a sophomore. The Wildcats also brought back their top receiver, Jayce Brown, but the team earned the fifth-worst PFF receiving grade in the Power Four last year (61.0).
© 2026 PFF - all rights reserved.