Kansas State doesn't usually have a ton of NFL-level prospects coming out of the program.
But one of its former stars is making significant noise after his Senior Bowl reps: offensive lineman Sam Hecht. ESPN is talking about the veteran Wildcats center climbing up the Draft boards.
The article wrote:
"Kansas State center Sam Hecht had two solid days in a row and is catching my eye as a potential mid-round steal in this class. Hecht's hand placement, power and agility have the look of a potential early starter in the NFL. He's marked on my notes as a player to dive in deeper on following this week."
Miller isn't the only one lauding the All-Big 12 selection. Tons of analysts and Draft specialists are talking about Hecht after the Senior Bowl.
Hecht played four seasons for the Wildcats, earning All-Big 12 honors in each of his last two seasons. He was also an honorable mention for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year last season. He is projected as a third or fourth-round pick, potentially helping teams like the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts.
Without Hecht, Kansas State will have to regroup an offensive line unit that was lackluster for most of last season. It was one of the primary issues for the team last season, with so many new additions to the line stifling any chemistry.
The Wildcats were decent in pass blocking for quarterback Avery Johnson, but couldn't get much production out of the running backs. With the run game a staple of Kansas State's offense, the team lost its identity and primary wow factor. While some of the derailed run game was due to Dylan Edwards' injury, a strengthened unit up front will help Kansas State return to its typical strong rushing attack.
The Wildcats ushered in offensive line coach Mike Schmidt last month to aid that unit. He has primarily worked with San Diego State throughout his career (2009-11; 2012-20; 2024-25), overseeing its offensive line and running game. He also has experience in the Power Four with Syracuse (2021, 2022) and Mississippi State (2023).
"Watching the offensive lines that Mike has coached is extremely impressive," coach Collin Klein said. "They are physical, detailed and diverse schematically. It became clear quickly that he was the perfect fit for our offense. He is a person of high integrity and family. I can't wait to get to work with him."
As for Hecht, hopefully Wildcats fans can see his name on the Draft boards this April.