Kansas State isn't typically a heavy pipeline for pro-level players.
So when it does produce potential NFL prospects, you know fans are going to be ten toes behind them. Offensive lineman Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne, who impressed outsiders at the Senior Bowl, were invited to the NFL Combine in late February.
Hecht earned All-Big 12 honors in each of his last two seasons (Second-team in 2024, First-team in 2025) and was also an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last year. He was projected as a third or fourth-round pick, but now could be locked in as a surefire Day 2 selection.
"Thusly, quality blockers prepared for the professional game tend to be highly regarded throughout the draft process," Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski said about Hecht. "Kansas State's Sam Hecht was the most consistent day-to-day performer among all of the offensive linemen in Mobile. Hecht started 25 straight contests for the Wildcats before his collegiate career came to a close. His performance at the Senior Bowl reflected what was seen on tape."
Hecht led a unit in 2025 that protected quarterback Avery Johnson relatively well. The offensive line's lack of cohesion hurt the rushing attack, but that could be attributed to the primary running back rotating after Dylan Edwards' early-season injury.
Meanwhile, Payne spent four years as a Wildcat, recording 196 total tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and 10.5 tackles for loss. Former Wildcats coach Chris Klieman lauded Payne as one of the secondary's leaders last season. He isn't generally a high draft pick in many people's eyes, but his Senior Bowl showcase can certainly help him. He is a two-time All-Big 12 Honorable Mention, as well as one of the few remaining players to have played in the Big 12 championship.
"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."
The last few years have seen a major spike in NFL Draft picks out of Manhattan, KS. Among some of the notable names have been defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah (Kansas City Chiefs) and cornerback Jacob Parrish (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Hopefully, Hecht and Payne will be the next former Wildcats to get their chances in Pittsburgh, PA, this April.