One of Kansas State's lone four-star recruits may be attracting some others as well.
Wildcats cornerback Josiah Vilmael, the first recruit under coach Collin Klein, could possibly play with his brother soon. Joshua Vilmael, a 2027 class cornerback from Fort Bend Travis High, received an offer from the program on Tuesday. He also received offers from schools like Arizona, Houston, and Arizona State.
The eldest Vilmael committed to the program on Dec. 5. He already shares coach Klein's expectations of re-establishing championship standards at Kansas State.
"I already know Coach Klein is gonna come in and set a high bar," Vilmael said in an interview with KStateRoundtable. "Especially because of what he’s done there. For me, it’s just about bringing that discipline, helping the guys around me, and being able to take constructive criticism from teammates."
CHRIS KLIEMAN'S OLD TEAM FINALLY RECOGNIZED IN FBS
Veteran coach Chris Klieman's success at Kansas State can make some forget his origins. Before he established his legacy of winning and consistency in Manhattan, KS, he was a champion in Fargo, ND.
Kleiman coached at North Dakota State from 2014 to 2018, during which he led the team to four FCS championships. Now, his old team is no longer an FCS powerhouse, as they will now join the Mountain West Conference.
Klieman's success in the FCS led to his hiring at Kansas State, and the rest is history. Klieman never had a losing season outside the 2020 COVID-19 season, while notching five Bowl appearances in his seven years in Manhattan, KS.
He officially retired in December, ushering in program legend Collin Klein as the 36th head coach for Kansas State football. With the shifting college football scenery and a lackluster 2025 season, Klieman seemingly exhausted himself out of the starting role. After his Utah loss, the veteran head coach was visibly upset with the outside criticism raining down amid an emotional loss.
Klieman thanked athletic director Gene Taylor and the Wildcats organization for betting on him straight out of the now-FBS North Dakota State.
"I've gotta express my gratitude and thanks to Gene Taylor for believing in and trusting this program in me. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 7 years since Kenny, Preston, and Starkey came up and picked me up. We flew down here and started a journey, and it’s been almost 7 years. I took this job with little to no Power Four experience, but I had a guy who believed in me and loved me. I’m proud of what we accomplished in these seven years," Klieman said in his exiting press conference.