It's been a while since we checked in on our potential Kansas State NFL prospects.
One name making noise is veteran safety VJ Payne. He is one of five safeties on the Panini Senior Bowl's National Team, drawing eyes in the first two days leading up to the actual game on Saturday afternoon. Payne had arguably the best outing on Day 1, putting him on the radar for teams like the Indianapolis Colts.
In his four seasons with Kansas State, Payne had 196 total tackles, 10.5 of which were for losses, four interceptions, and 13 pass deflections. Former Kansas State coach Chris Klieman lauded Payne as one of the leaders in the defensive back room last season.
"VJ is the unquestioned leader back there in the secondary," Klieman said in a pre-season interview. "VJ’s been a three-year starter for us. He’s one of a handful of guys who started in the Big 12 championship in 2022, and now has been a two-year great player for us. He’s coming into his last year, and he’s turned into one of our best leaders, which he needs to be."
Payne joined former Wildcats offensive lineman Sam Hecht on the Bowl roster. Hecht notched two All-Big 12 Second-Team selections and was an honorable mention for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Hopefully, Payne's star performances within these affairs can move him up the Draft boards in Pittsburgh, PA.
ESPN LAUDS PJ HAGGERTY AS TOP 50 PLAYER IN NCAA
Amid Kansas State's 1-7 Big 12 start, it's hard to see any positive outlook amid devastating loss after devastating loss.
Well, at least one player got some praise from a major sports outlet. ESPN ranked Wildcats star guard PJ Haggerty No. 42 on its list of the best players in the country thus far. He is averaging 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and one steal this season.
The article wrote:
"A year ago, Haggerty was a star at Memphis and a second-team AP All-American who anchored the most successful season of coach Penny Hardaway's tenure. Haggerty was one of the most coveted transfers in the portal, too. Some things haven't changed. Haggerty has one of the most impressive stat lines in the country again -- 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 37% from 3 -- even if he has been unable to lift Kansas State out of the Big 12's basement. The Wildcats' performance is, in part, why he has fallen toward the bottom of these rankings."