Five takeaways from Kansas State’s first depth chart ahead of 2025 football season
.jpg "Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman prior to the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field.")
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- Kansas State rebuilt its offensive line with three new starters for 2025 opener.
- Quarterback depth unsettled as three players listed as potential backups.
- Six defensive starters debut as Wildcats replace multiple NFL-bound veterans.
Chris Klieman has unveiled Kansas State’s first public depth chart ahead of the 2025 football season, which begins for the Wildcats on Saturday with a much-anticipated game against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.
The two-deep is filled with surprises.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the depth chart now that position battles have been decided and starters have been named.
1. The offensive line will look different this season
K-State will have plenty of fresh faces up front this year as offensive line coach Brian Lepak looks to replace three starters from last season. Taylor Poitier is back at left guard and Sam Hecht returns at center. But everyone else is new.
Here is how the front five will look on the first offensive series against Iowa State: John Pastore will start at left tackle, Poitier will play at left guard, Hecht will handle snaps, JB Nelson or Andrew Leingang will take over at right guard and Terrence Enos will play at right tackle.
Nelson (Penn State) and Enos (Pittsburgh) are high-profile newcomers who transferred in from other schools. Pastore and Leingang have been with the Wildcats for years. Together, they will try to help pave the way for Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards this season.
2. The Wildcats have three backup QB options behind Avery Johnson
Offensive coordinator Matt Wells was apparently serious when he said he was nowhere near ready to choose a backup quarterback for Avery Johnson.
The Wildcats list three players as the possible QB2 for this week’s game against the Cyclones.
Jacob Knuth or Dillon Duff or Blake Barnett could see action if necessary.
Knuth has been with K-State the longest. He is entering his junior season after transferring in from Minnesota. Barnett is a redshirt freshman and Duff is a true freshman.
Six tight ends listed on the two deep, and Linkon Cure is one of them as a thir option behind Garrett Oakley and Brayden Loftin
3. K-State will have several new starters on defense
K-State fans will need to get acquainted with many new names on defense.
Here is a rundown of all the new starters that will play for the Wildcats on that side of the ball: Rex Van Wyhe will start at linebacker next to Desmond Purnell and Austin Romaine. Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh are taking over as starting cornerbacks. Finally, Wesley Fair or Logan Bartley and Qua Moss will join VJ Payne at safety.
The Wildcats have several question marks in the secondary as they work to replace three players who are now in the NFL. Those names will get the first shot.
4. Get to know K-State’s specialists
Klieman has shared little information about how the Wildcats plan to handle special teams this season. But we have our first clues today.
Luis Rodriguez, a transfer from College of the Canyons, will handle field goals. Simon McClannan will be the punter.
The return men will be Dylan Edwards, Bryce Noernberg, DeVon Rice and Sterling Lockett
5. The Wildcats have intriguing depth at wide receiver
As expected, Jayce Brown will join Jaron Tibbs and Jerand Bradley as starting wide receivers this season.
But who will play behind them in important reserve roles? We have our answer.
Sterling Lockett, Adonis Moise, Caleb Medford and Jemryi Davis all made the depth chart as backup wide receivers. Each of them has shown potential at times. They could be valuable contributors this season.
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 11:48 AM with the headline "Five takeaways from Kansas State’s first depth chart ahead of 2025 football season."