Linebacker Gabe Powers has helped the Kansas State Wildcats fill the void left by Austin Romaine, who transferred to Texas Tech
The Kansas State Wildcats football team knew it was going to need all the help possible to replace its top linebacker from last season.
In the offseason, Austin Romaine announced he was hitting the transfer portal. He eventually landed with the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Down an All-Big 12 linebacker, the Wildcats needed replacements.
They are learning they got a good one in fifth-year senior Gabe Powers. He is coming off a four-tackle performance in last Saturday's 34-7 victory against the Washington State Cougars.
Expect to hear his name a lot in Saturday's game against the Tulane Green Wave in the final non-conference game of the season. Conference play begins the following week with the Wildcats playing on the road against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
"There's a mentality. His football IQ is elite," K-State first-year coach Collin Klein said of Powers. "His processing speed is elite. His communication is elite. It's not even him making plays and getting himself in a position to make plays, but he gets everybody else and makes a lot of things right around him as well."
Powers, who has six tackles on the season, is trying to finish his collegiate career on a positive. He spent his first three years playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes before deciding to transfer. In 2025, he had 21 tackles while appearing in all 12 games.
WOMEN'S BIG 12 HOOPS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
The Kansas State Wildcats received their conference schedule for this season.
Here's a look at it:
Dec. 19 vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Dec. 30 at BYU Cougars
Jan. 2 at Utah Utes
Jan. 6 vs. UCF Knights
Jan. 9 vs. Arizona Wildcats
Jan. 13 at West Virginia Mountaineers
Jan. 16 at Iowa State Cyclones
Jan. 20 vs. Houston Cougars
Jan. 24 vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Jan. 27 at Cincinnati Bearcats
Jan. 31 at Kansas Jayhawks
Feb. 4 vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Feb. 7 vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Feb. 10 at Baylor Bears
Feb. 15 at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Feb. 20 vs Kansas Jayhawks
Feb. 25 vs. Baylor Bears
Feb. 28 at Colorado Buffaloes
MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS
Kansas State dealing with some adversity at quarterback
Casey Alexander gets his first Big 12 schedule as K-State coach
How to watch Saturday's game between Tulane and Kansas State
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
