It's officially one week until the NFL Draft, so many analysts' Mock Drafts are becoming that much more real.
Which means former Kansas State stars Sam Hecht and VJ Payne are guaranteed to hear their names called next Thursday night. The latest ESPN predictions have them both in relatively solid standings among the top projected prospects.
Sam Hecht, Center
Projected Pick: No. 82, Third Round
Projected Rank Among Position: No. 3 for centers
Hecht earned All-Big 12 honors each of his last two seasons, including an honorable mention for the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. In 2025, he didn't allow a single sack or hit to quarterback Avery Johnson or commit a single penalty. His Senior Bowl tape has elevated him up the boards, drawing in outside eyes to those who didn't watch him in Manhattan, KS.
A floated Day 3 pick to a borderline stud, Hecht has received real Draft hype to solidify his spot in the league. He has drawn comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Creed Humphrey and has been pegged to playoff contenders like the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens to replace their outgoing star centers.
VJ Payne, Safety
Projected Pick: No. 134, Fourth Round
Projected Rank Among Position: No. 12 for safeties
In his four years as a Wildcat, Payne recorded 196 total tackles, four interceptions, 13 pass deflections, and 10.5 tackles for loss. He's been pinned to teams like the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as secondary aids.
Payne's length and versatility as a defender have been his biggest strengths, as well as his ability to play well against top tight ends. His run defense has been one of the biggest question marks, highlighted in a Wildcats defense that struggled against rushers to begin the season. In a division like the AFC East, being solid against run-heavy teams will be essential.
As Kansas State sends two more players to the pros, the program is slowly expanding its NFL pipeline. The Wildcats are now regularly creating pro-level prospects, as they've sent three in each of the last three Drafts. While that streak likely breaks this year, it's still great to see the underrated college program getting national acclaim.
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