Chris Klieman is already expecting big things from these K-State football newcomers
Spring football is over. Preseason camp is still a month away. Players are healthy. And every college football team in the country is undefeated.
This is undoubtedly the best time on the calendar for a head coach to speak optimistically about his roster.
With that in mind, fans should realize that there is some level of hyperbole associated with nearly every glowing statement that a coach makes about his players in early July. Still, it was notable that K-State coach Chris Klieman went out of his way to praise a handful of newcomers at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas.
Klieman doesn’t usually hype up his players unless he thinks they can handle expectations.
Here is a rundown of the new and previously unsung players that Klieman is excited about as the season-opener in Ireland approaches for the Wildcats.
Arizona transfer Gunner Maldonado will help on defense
Klieman didn’t even get a good look at what Maldonado was capable of during spring practices, as the talented defensive back spent most of his time recovering from an injury.
But Klieman has liked everything he has seen from the Arizona transfer thus far.
“I was the one that picked up the phone to call him myself when he got in the portal,” Klieman said. “The reason is I watched enough crossover tape when we were playing different teams. I would see Arizona, and that kid always showed up. Fortunately, when we played him, they had somebody hurt and he had to play a different position. So we exploited the guy that had to replace him, because Gunner is a great football player.
“I know he had his season cut short, and we haven’t seen much of him yet, because he’s still coming back from injury. But that kid’s got that ‘it’ factor. You can tell he’s a two-time captain. I’m excited to watch him play. He fits in with our guys.”
Ohio State transfer expected to start
Shortly after George Fitzpatrick helped Ohio State win a national title last season, the strong offensive lineman decided to transfer to K-State. The Wildcats were glad to land him, because he appeared to be a big upgrade on the front five.
Those projections were proven true in spring practice.
Klieman says Fitzpatrick has already “elevated himself to the top of the depth chart at left tackle.”
K-State is excited to see what he can do alongside returning players like Sam Hecht, Taylor Poitier, Andrew Leingang and John Pastore.
“John missed the entire 2024 season,” Klieman said. “He was penciled in to be in the rotation, if not a starter, at tackle. He’s back now, healthy this year and over 300 pounds at 6-foot-5. He’ll be a big player for us. So I like where we’re at on the offensive line.”
Purdue transfer ready to make plays at wide receiver
Klieman had several nice things to say about Purdue transfer Jaron Tibbs and everything that he accomplished during spring practices as he elevated the Wildcats at wide receiver.
But it was K-State quarterback Avery Johnson who shared the highest praise for his new target in the passing game.
“He is going to be a dude for us this year,” Johnson said of Tibbs. “He’s just a big, physical receiver. The dude is well put together. He’s smart, a really good route-runner, strong hands, good at catching in traffic. He does a lot of things that you can’t teach. We built a really good connection this offseason.”
Dylan Edwards is ready to lead the K-State backfield
Hard as it was for K-State to bid farewell to DJ Giddens at the end of last season, the Wildcats still like what they have at running back.
Dylan Edwards proved he was ready for a starring role when he won MVP honors at the Rate Bowl with 223 total yards and three touchdowns.
Klieman thinks there is more on the way.
“Before DJ Giddens, we had a kid named Deuce Vaughn that a lot of people heard about,” Klieman said. “Deuce Vaughn may have been the best college football player I’ve ever seen. People said, ‘What are you going to do when you don’t have Deuce Vaughn?’ All of a sudden, DJ Giddens came on.
“We have running backs, and Dylan Edwards is a star. He’s a game breaker. And Dylan Edwards is going to be better because of a guy like Joe Jackson. He is another really good, talented running back. They’re both going to be better because of the the ability for us to have more playmakers.”
This story was originally published July 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM with the headline "Chris Klieman is already expecting big things from these K-State football newcomers."