Kansas State University Athletics
Excited for the New Class
Dec 05, 2025 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
The coffee began brewing at the crack of dawn, and as the sun rose above Bill Snyder Family Stadium, video chats and smiles filled the meeting room at the Vanier Family Football Complex, as Kansas State signed a 23-member class of prospects — 19 high school products and four community-college transfers — eager to make an impact in Manhattan.
The class is comprised of 11 players on offense, nine on defense, two specialists and one athlete, who were signed from 10 different states and one foreign country.
A total of 17 signees are expected to enroll at K-State for the 2026 spring semester.
"We're excited about these guys and the class, and we'll see what we can do ahead," K-State director of football recruiting Taylor Braet said at a signing day news conference.
Signing day arrived on the three-year anniversary of K-State's win in the 2022 Big 12 Championship. It also arrived as K-State head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement after a seven-year tenure that included the second-most wins in school history and six bowl games.
"I was able to talk to about all the prospects today," Braet said. "The thing I hit the most is, 'You're coming here to be here for four or five years, correct?' And they all said, 'Yes.' And I said, 'During that time, with the landscape of college football, there was going to be a change, whether it's your position coach or head coach, there was going to be a change while you were here.'
"The change came a little early. We had a tremendous head coach who believed in all of us, and the change came quick, but now that it's happened, let's move forward and keep working."
K-State fans will be anxious to see Derrick Salley Jr. go to work.
Salley, a junior, comes to K-State as the fifth-best overall community-college prospect and the No. 1-rated community-college wide receiver in the Class of 2026 by Rivals. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Green Pond, South Carolina, recorded 60 catches for 1,043 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. He has 41 catches for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns this season as Hutchinson prepares for the NJCAA Semifinal game on Saturday.
At Ashley Ridge High School in South Carolina, Salley set the state high school record with 2,027 receiving yards, while his 20 touchdowns were second most in state history.
"Derrick Salley is a tremendous wide receiver," Braet said. "Hearing from Hutchinson Community College head coach Drew Dallas and former K-State assistant coach Matt Wallerstedt, who's the defensive coordinator there — Coach Wallerstedt calls him, 'Mustang Salley.' He says no one touches him in practice. He said, 'I'm just glad we're not playing against him.'
"That was a pretty good sign. He'll be a good fit."
Salley will join Hutchinson safety Michael Graham Jr. in Manhattan.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Graham, a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the 23rd-best overall community-college prospect and No. 2-rated safety by Rivals after posting 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in two seasons at Hutchinson.
"It's awesome getting back into the Jayhawk Conference with them in our backyard," Braet said. "We have the best junior college in the country right here. To get two from there is huge. They're unbelievable and Coach Dallas does an unbelievable job there. He grew up in Salina and understands. It's great that our GM, Coach Clint Brown, understands how important junior college kids are. They're right here. They were able to make a trip during the day to see us and see us practice. Then they took an unofficial visit someplace else and then they came back up here. That was the most important part was our staff being in constant communication with these guys and doing their part to get these kids back up here."
K-State went heavy on the offensive and defensive line in the 2026 class as 43% of the signees were linemen — five offensive linemen, four defensive tackles and one defensive end. The class also included three wide receivers, two running backs and safeties, and one athlete, one defensive back, one kicker, one linebacker, one snapper and one quarterback.
"With us losing Uso Seumalo and Damian Ilalio on the defensive line, it's important to fill those spots with guys we feel can play immediately," Braet said. "Carnell Jackson Jr. from Alabama can compete even as a freshman. It's really hard at this level as an offensive lineman or defensive line to show up ready to play. It's tough. I feel the same way about offensive lineman Oliver Miller. He could come in and play as a freshman, and he'll be a midyear (enrollee)."
The 6-foot-3, 335-pound Jackson is a native of Auburn, Alabama, and was viewed as the 77th-best defensive lineman in the Class of 2026 and the 28th-best overall prospect in the state of Alabama by 247Sports with 36 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries as a senior.
Miller is a 6-foot-6, 295-pounder from Centennial, Colorado, who was the 41st-best offensive tackle by 247Sports and helped Cherry Creek High School to a state championship as a junior, while the Bruins play I the 2025 state championship on Saturday.
"We did a really good job with our offensive line group in this class," Braet said. "We put together five guys. A couple of them who really stick out to me are the two tackles — Keegan Collins and Oliver Miller. Both are long, lanky athletes. I'm excited for what they have. I was able to get on the road and watch Oliver Miller play. He's a terrific kid with a terrific family.
"Oliver is just a tremendously long athlete. The coaches there were so high on him and think he's a special player. It was a battle toward the end because a lot of schools were coming in on him. His senior tape is unbelievable. Offensive line coach Brian Lepak did a really good job along with the offensive staff of building a relationship with those guys and the belief that he can come here and play."
K-State appeared to land a gem in signing defensive tackle Adrian Bekibele, the top overall European recruit by ESPN. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound freshman will come to Manhattan from Stockholm, Sweden. Playing at RIG Academy, Bekibele was the 59th-best defensive tackle in the Class of 2026, and he serves as team captain for the Swedish National Team. He helped RIG Academy to a third-place ranking in Europe, while the Tigers earned two Euro silver medals and a Swedish Championship gold.
The recruiting process for Bekibele came with a twist.
"Obviously, reaching out at different times, you're not going to text him at 8:00 p.m., because let's put the math together of what time it is there. That definitely changes it," Braet said. "And then it's about understanding their seasons are different, what they go through is different, how they train is going to be different, but I know there's been a lot of international kids who have worked out lately, and it's cool to get one.
"He actually came to camp over the summer, which is awesome to think that a guy came all the way overseas to come to camp and performed well enough to get offered."
K-State signed five players from the state of Texas for a second-straight season, and four from Missouri, three from Oklahoma, two from Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, and one from Alabama, Illinois, Iowa and South Carolina.
One standout from the state of Kansas might conjure visions of his father.
Lawson McGraw, the son of former K-State great Jon McGraw, comes to K-State as the 22nd-best athlete in the nation by 247Sports and as the fifth-best overall player in the state of Kansas following a standout career at Blue Valley West in Overland Park. McGraw had 49 receptions for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final two seasons as a tight end, and he had 98 tackles, including 10.0 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups and nine forced fumbles over his final three seasons.
"I'm really fired up about McGraw," Braet said. "You know the last name McGraw, and it stands for a lot around here. We signed him as an athlete, he's going to play tight end probably for us, but he came to camp, performed very well, played both offense and defense while he was here.
"He's just a tremendous athlete. He came to camp, and tight ends coach Luke Wells loved him and really wanted him, and so did the whole offensives staff. He did a really good job in performing. He did everything we asked of him. We put him on offense for reps and on defense for reps and he just stood out as a guy who wasn't going to say no, turn down anything, and he just kept working. He's as athletically and as gifted as he is, he's going to play."
McGraw is joined by offensive lineman Lamarcus Barber as the Wildcats' two signees from the Sunflower State. Barber is a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder from Shawnee, Kansas, who was rated as the 44th-best interior lineman by Rivals after earning all-state honors while starring at Mill Valley High School.
"Lamarcus is awesome," Braet said. "He originally grew up in Junction City, so it was really great to get a guy from that area. He's a hard worker, a great kid, and his media stuff on Sports in Kansas is always fun because he talks about how he's going to go after somebody in a game. I'm excited to see what he does here. He has a bright future."
Braet appeared excited about K-State landing Dejon Ackerson Jr., a 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who was the lone linebacker signed in the class. Ackerson was the 30th-best linebacker in the country and the sixth-best player in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals after he totaled 73 tackles, including 13.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior at Putnam City High School.
"DJ is a really great young man. He's smart, very religious, he's an awesome — I'm so excited to have him," Braet said. "Linebacker coach Steve Stanard did a really good job getting out and seeing him. He's going to be a really special player. We only took one linebacker and had to bring in someone who we thought could be that guy. From the start, he's been important, ever since he's been on campus. He came up for spring practice and was here in April and it was so important to get him back for an official visit. We held his official visit until late just so we could be the last one.
"To close out the class getting him was awesome."
The coffee began brewing at the crack of dawn, and as the sun rose above Bill Snyder Family Stadium, video chats and smiles filled the meeting room at the Vanier Family Football Complex, as Kansas State signed a 23-member class of prospects — 19 high school products and four community-college transfers — eager to make an impact in Manhattan.
The class is comprised of 11 players on offense, nine on defense, two specialists and one athlete, who were signed from 10 different states and one foreign country.
A total of 17 signees are expected to enroll at K-State for the 2026 spring semester.
"We're excited about these guys and the class, and we'll see what we can do ahead," K-State director of football recruiting Taylor Braet said at a signing day news conference.
Signing day arrived on the three-year anniversary of K-State's win in the 2022 Big 12 Championship. It also arrived as K-State head coach Chris Klieman announced his retirement after a seven-year tenure that included the second-most wins in school history and six bowl games.
"I was able to talk to about all the prospects today," Braet said. "The thing I hit the most is, 'You're coming here to be here for four or five years, correct?' And they all said, 'Yes.' And I said, 'During that time, with the landscape of college football, there was going to be a change, whether it's your position coach or head coach, there was going to be a change while you were here.'
"The change came a little early. We had a tremendous head coach who believed in all of us, and the change came quick, but now that it's happened, let's move forward and keep working."
K-State fans will be anxious to see Derrick Salley Jr. go to work.
Salley, a junior, comes to K-State as the fifth-best overall community-college prospect and the No. 1-rated community-college wide receiver in the Class of 2026 by Rivals. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound native of Green Pond, South Carolina, recorded 60 catches for 1,043 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. He has 41 catches for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns this season as Hutchinson prepares for the NJCAA Semifinal game on Saturday.
At Ashley Ridge High School in South Carolina, Salley set the state high school record with 2,027 receiving yards, while his 20 touchdowns were second most in state history.
"Derrick Salley is a tremendous wide receiver," Braet said. "Hearing from Hutchinson Community College head coach Drew Dallas and former K-State assistant coach Matt Wallerstedt, who's the defensive coordinator there — Coach Wallerstedt calls him, 'Mustang Salley.' He says no one touches him in practice. He said, 'I'm just glad we're not playing against him.'
"That was a pretty good sign. He'll be a good fit."
Salley will join Hutchinson safety Michael Graham Jr. in Manhattan.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Graham, a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was the 23rd-best overall community-college prospect and No. 2-rated safety by Rivals after posting 47 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight interceptions, three pass breakups and two fumble recoveries in two seasons at Hutchinson.
"It's awesome getting back into the Jayhawk Conference with them in our backyard," Braet said. "We have the best junior college in the country right here. To get two from there is huge. They're unbelievable and Coach Dallas does an unbelievable job there. He grew up in Salina and understands. It's great that our GM, Coach Clint Brown, understands how important junior college kids are. They're right here. They were able to make a trip during the day to see us and see us practice. Then they took an unofficial visit someplace else and then they came back up here. That was the most important part was our staff being in constant communication with these guys and doing their part to get these kids back up here."
K-State went heavy on the offensive and defensive line in the 2026 class as 43% of the signees were linemen — five offensive linemen, four defensive tackles and one defensive end. The class also included three wide receivers, two running backs and safeties, and one athlete, one defensive back, one kicker, one linebacker, one snapper and one quarterback.
"With us losing Uso Seumalo and Damian Ilalio on the defensive line, it's important to fill those spots with guys we feel can play immediately," Braet said. "Carnell Jackson Jr. from Alabama can compete even as a freshman. It's really hard at this level as an offensive lineman or defensive line to show up ready to play. It's tough. I feel the same way about offensive lineman Oliver Miller. He could come in and play as a freshman, and he'll be a midyear (enrollee)."
The 6-foot-3, 335-pound Jackson is a native of Auburn, Alabama, and was viewed as the 77th-best defensive lineman in the Class of 2026 and the 28th-best overall prospect in the state of Alabama by 247Sports with 36 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and two fumble recoveries as a senior.
Miller is a 6-foot-6, 295-pounder from Centennial, Colorado, who was the 41st-best offensive tackle by 247Sports and helped Cherry Creek High School to a state championship as a junior, while the Bruins play I the 2025 state championship on Saturday.
"We did a really good job with our offensive line group in this class," Braet said. "We put together five guys. A couple of them who really stick out to me are the two tackles — Keegan Collins and Oliver Miller. Both are long, lanky athletes. I'm excited for what they have. I was able to get on the road and watch Oliver Miller play. He's a terrific kid with a terrific family.
"Oliver is just a tremendously long athlete. The coaches there were so high on him and think he's a special player. It was a battle toward the end because a lot of schools were coming in on him. His senior tape is unbelievable. Offensive line coach Brian Lepak did a really good job along with the offensive staff of building a relationship with those guys and the belief that he can come here and play."
K-State appeared to land a gem in signing defensive tackle Adrian Bekibele, the top overall European recruit by ESPN. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound freshman will come to Manhattan from Stockholm, Sweden. Playing at RIG Academy, Bekibele was the 59th-best defensive tackle in the Class of 2026, and he serves as team captain for the Swedish National Team. He helped RIG Academy to a third-place ranking in Europe, while the Tigers earned two Euro silver medals and a Swedish Championship gold.
The recruiting process for Bekibele came with a twist.
"Obviously, reaching out at different times, you're not going to text him at 8:00 p.m., because let's put the math together of what time it is there. That definitely changes it," Braet said. "And then it's about understanding their seasons are different, what they go through is different, how they train is going to be different, but I know there's been a lot of international kids who have worked out lately, and it's cool to get one.
"He actually came to camp over the summer, which is awesome to think that a guy came all the way overseas to come to camp and performed well enough to get offered."
K-State signed five players from the state of Texas for a second-straight season, and four from Missouri, three from Oklahoma, two from Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska, and one from Alabama, Illinois, Iowa and South Carolina.
One standout from the state of Kansas might conjure visions of his father.
Lawson McGraw, the son of former K-State great Jon McGraw, comes to K-State as the 22nd-best athlete in the nation by 247Sports and as the fifth-best overall player in the state of Kansas following a standout career at Blue Valley West in Overland Park. McGraw had 49 receptions for 799 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final two seasons as a tight end, and he had 98 tackles, including 10.0 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks, one interception, four pass breakups and nine forced fumbles over his final three seasons.
"I'm really fired up about McGraw," Braet said. "You know the last name McGraw, and it stands for a lot around here. We signed him as an athlete, he's going to play tight end probably for us, but he came to camp, performed very well, played both offense and defense while he was here.
"He's just a tremendous athlete. He came to camp, and tight ends coach Luke Wells loved him and really wanted him, and so did the whole offensives staff. He did a really good job in performing. He did everything we asked of him. We put him on offense for reps and on defense for reps and he just stood out as a guy who wasn't going to say no, turn down anything, and he just kept working. He's as athletically and as gifted as he is, he's going to play."
McGraw is joined by offensive lineman Lamarcus Barber as the Wildcats' two signees from the Sunflower State. Barber is a 6-foot-3, 310-pounder from Shawnee, Kansas, who was rated as the 44th-best interior lineman by Rivals after earning all-state honors while starring at Mill Valley High School.
"Lamarcus is awesome," Braet said. "He originally grew up in Junction City, so it was really great to get a guy from that area. He's a hard worker, a great kid, and his media stuff on Sports in Kansas is always fun because he talks about how he's going to go after somebody in a game. I'm excited to see what he does here. He has a bright future."
Braet appeared excited about K-State landing Dejon Ackerson Jr., a 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who was the lone linebacker signed in the class. Ackerson was the 30th-best linebacker in the country and the sixth-best player in the state of Oklahoma by Rivals after he totaled 73 tackles, including 13.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery as a senior at Putnam City High School.
"DJ is a really great young man. He's smart, very religious, he's an awesome — I'm so excited to have him," Braet said. "Linebacker coach Steve Stanard did a really good job getting out and seeing him. He's going to be a really special player. We only took one linebacker and had to bring in someone who we thought could be that guy. From the start, he's been important, ever since he's been on campus. He came up for spring practice and was here in April and it was so important to get him back for an official visit. We held his official visit until late just so we could be the last one.
"To close out the class getting him was awesome."
Players Mentioned
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