Kansas State expects big weekend with DJ Giddens and Jacob Parrish at NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft promises to be an exciting event for Kansas State.
For the fourth straight year, the Wildcats are expected to produce multiple draft picks. And, for the third straight year, there is a chance three or more former K-State players will be selected by professional football teams.
Keeping those streaks alive is very important for K-State coach Chris Klieman as he continues to aim high on the recruiting trail and raise the overall level of talent in Manhattan.
The festivities begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But the good vibes will most likely start for K-State on Friday: Running back DJ Giddens and cornerback Jacob Parrish are projected as mid-round picks who are hoping to hear their names called as early as the third round.
You can find Parrish predicted as high as the No. 84 pick on mock drafts. Some experts have Giddens going as early as No. 94.
They are both sure-fire draft picks now that their successful college careers at K-State have come to an end.
But there is also hope that defensive back Marquis Sigle will be selected in the late rounds. Mock drafts have him going in the seventh.
It’s also possible that former offensive lineman Easton Kilty, defensive back Jacob Parrish, kicker Chris Tennant and others could get a look in the final rounds or sign with teams as undrafted free agents.
In any case, it won’t be a quiet draft weekend for the Wildcats.
Expect Jacob Parrish to be Kansas State’s first NFL Draft pick
Parrish should lead the charge.
The 5-foot-10 and 191-pound cornerback from Olathe has rocketed up draft boards ever since he decided to forgo his senior year of college football and declare for the NFL Draft.
He said he wanted to prove he had NFL speed, and he did exactly that by running the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
Add that to a stellar career at K-State that featured 50 tackles and seven pass breakups as a junior, and he figures to be the Wildcats’ best draft prospect in this class.
He recently said his goal was to be a second-round pick, but he will more likely have to wait until the third round. Either way, he should be set up for a nice start to his pro career.
DJ Giddens could help any team that needs a running back
What you saw from Giddens at K-State is likely what you will continue seeing from him in the NFL.
The Junction City product had a brilliant three-year run with the Wildcats that featured 3,087 yards and 23 touchdowns as a rusher. He also added 58 catches for 679 yards and four scores as a receiver.
Giddens was best known for his durability and his bruising running style, but he showed off speed and elusiveness last season.
That could make him an ideal plug-and-play candidate in an NFL backfield.
He has come a long way since his teenage years, when he was an unknown recruit.
Giddens has no expectations for the NFL Draft, but teams will likely target him in the third or fourth round.
Marquis Sigle can make it three K-State draft picks
There is no guarantee that Sigle will hear his name called this weekend, but the former Kansas State safety has appeared on several mock drafts as seventh-round selection.
Sigle was a leader in K-State’s secondary as both a junior and a senior. Then the 5-foot-11 defensive back put himself on the NFL radar by running the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds at the combine.
He could help any NFL team that is looking for help in the secondary in the final round.
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Kansas State expects big weekend with DJ Giddens and Jacob Parrish at NFL Draft."