When you think of Kansas State's transfer portal moves, many tend to think of the significant losses the team took.
What is sometimes overlooked are the major additions. ESPN has been a huge fan of the new Wildcats, including college football writer Bill Connelly's latest laud to the defensive juggernauts: Wendell Gregory, Elijah Hill, and Mekhi Mason. Gregory and Hill have been praised by many outlets, but Mason has flown under the radar a bit.
"Gregory was a havoc machine at OSU despite getting almost no support whatsoever, Mason is a sideline-to-sideline menace, Hill is undersized but disruptive," the article wrote. "The secondary haul includes both a dynamite veteran in nickel Ja'son Prevard and one of last season's best mid-major freshmen in safety Koy Beasley. We'll see if Klein got what he needed on the offensive line - seven of last year's top nine are gone, and while he grabbed six transfers (only two have FBS starting experience) - but I'm confident that the first Jordan Peterson defense will hold up its end of the bargain."
Wendell Gregory, Defensive End
2025 STATS: 27 TOT TKLS, 12 TFL, 4 SACKS
The Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year is anticipated to help Kansas State set the edge. One of the few bright spots for Oklahoma State in 2025, Gregory was a staple up front knocking players back behind the line.
Elijah Hill, Defensive End
2025 STATS: 22 TOT TKLS, 9 SACKS, 11.5 TFL
The Conference USA leader in sacks should be a steal at pass-rusher, especially as the Wildcats lost their top sack leaders from last season. Hill, alongside Gregory, may be the duo the Wildcats need on the defensive line.
Mekhi Mason, Linebacker
2025 STATS: 68 TOT TKLS, 14.5 TFL, 3.5 SACKS, 4 PD
Mason, another Conference USA statistical leader, led the conference in tackles for loss in a breakout second season with Louisiana Tech. Kansas State hopes to have him anchor the middle of the field, stopping the opposing rushing attacks that gashed the defense for most of the season.
Losing Austin Romaine, Tobi Osunsanmi, and many other defensive line stars was certainly not ideal. But the hope is the new guys will be able to replicate (and possibly exceed) their production.
"Granted, losing a couple of pass rushers to the No. 2 team on this list isn't optimal, but Collin Klein's first transfer class in Manhattan features lots of evaluations that I think will pay off, especially on defense," the article wrote.
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