Kansas State coach Collin Klein has work to do with his inaugural unit as the head coach in Manhattan, KS, especially after losing several stars to the transfer portal.
But the program picked up some star power as well, helping replace some of the outgoing stars to get back to competing in the Big 12. Two major names are catching the eyes of outsiders and Klein himself: Former Oklahoma State stars Rodney Fields Jr. and Wendell Gregory. Both were standouts on a Cowboys squad that had a lowly 2025 season.
“I’ve been proud of both of them," Klein said in his Wednesday afternoon press conference. "Rodney‘s coming off surgery from last season, so he’s been more limited. Very proud of Wendell and how he’s attacked the work. He’s obviously extremely talented, and he’s got a great God-given skill set. But I’ve been very impressed with his motor and how hard he’s worked in and prepped himself these last three weeks to put that skill set to work, so I’m excited to see how that goes.”
Fields was Oklahoma State's leading rusher, rushing for 614 yards and one touchdown with 28 receptions for 276 yards and another score. Hitting at five yards/run with a few 100-yard rushing performances, he'll be a solid complement to the emerging Joe Jackson. He, Jackson, and Jay Harris could be a trio to scare opposing defenses and re-ignite the run game that took a significant step back last year.
Meanwhile, Gregory was the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, recording 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, and seven quarterback hits, all of which led the team. A dynamic edge rusher, he'll be an ideal replacement for Tobi Osunsanmi off the edge.
"The mindset and mantra throughout the whole winter was 'strain and finish,'" Klein said. "Just learning how to give more every single rep and with everything you do, while finishing every single rep of everything that we do. They've embraced that. Excited to get on the grass. I think we've got a lot of positions that are gonna be very competitive, which we're excited about."
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