Kansas State DE Wendell Gregory Is Living Up To Hype So Far

Kansas State Wildcats defensive end Wendell Gregory arrived in Manhattan with high credentials and expectations. 

Now, he is starting to live up to them. 

He showed his full abilities in Saturday's 34-7 victory against the Washington State Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Gregory, who transferred after beginning his career with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, finished with five tackles and two sacks. 

He leads a defense that hasn't allowed a touchdown in two games this season. The Wildcats only surrendered a field in the opener against the Nicholls Cowboys while Washington State's only score came on an interception returned for a touchdown. 

After the latest victory, Gregory said this is only the beginning for the Wildcats defense. 

"It'll be great, 100 percent," Gregory said of what the defense could become. "It's going to be great. You're gonna keep seeing it build up week by week. Just keep tuning in for sure.”

Gregory joined the Wildcats program after having a strong first season with the Cowboys a year ago. He played well enough in Stillwater, Okla., to win the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year award. 

The success wasn't enough to keep him out of the transfer portal. His presence somewhat helps the Wildcats absorb the loss of All-Big 12 linebacker Austin Romaine, who transferred to play for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. 

With Gregory as the anchor, the Wildcats defense could find itself among the best in the conference. 

K-STATE SLOWLY MOVING INTO RANKINGS CONVERSATION 

After the 2-0 start, the next step for the Wildcats is making an appearance in the college football rankings. After being unranked in both polls, the Wildcats made some progress. They appeared in the "Others Receiving Votes" section for the AP Poll, grabbing one vote. In the American Football Coaches Association Poll, they got a little more love. They received 24 votes. 

It may take at least a victory this weekend against the Tulane Green Wave for the Wildcats to have any shot at reaching the Top 25 in either poll. Most likely, K-State has to start 4-0 to make the full leap. That means defeating the Green Wave and Cincinnati Bears in the Big 12 opener.

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

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Kansas State hosted a huge group of recruits Saturday, including top quarterback

K-State quarterback Avery Johnson acknowledges early-season missteps 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]