Kansas State released their opening week game notes (find the entire package here), and page 19 has the first official depth chart of the season! The wait is over; the long summer of our discontent is coming to an end, and the promise of fall is getting closer with every practice snap. If this blurb sounds familiar, that means you’ve read my offensive depth chart breakdown already. If it doesn’t, you can find it here. Either way, let’s take a look at the defense!
Defensive End
#8 Chiddi Obiazor: 6-6, 275 – So.-2L
– Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
or
#39 Travis Bates: 6-3, 269 – Jr.-1L – Tomball, Texas (Austin Peay State Univ.)
- #91 Jordan Allen: 6-4, 262 – So.-1L – Olathe, Kan. (Olathe South)
#47 Cody Stufflebean: 6-4, 260 – Sr.-3L – McPherson, Kan. (McPherson)
or
#44 Tobi Osunsanmi: 6-3, 250 – Jr.-3L – Wichita, Kan. (Wichita East)
or
#52 Ryan Davis: 6-4 252 – So.-1L – Phoenix, Ariz. (Sandra Day O’Connor)
Thoughts
My first thought is that after week 1, I need to put out an actual depth chart. This is going to get confusing fast because the Wildcats are going to essentially play two different base defenses. You’ll see them in a 3-3-5 (which is shown on this depth chart) and a 4-2-5 (which isn’t). My takeaway from this depth chart is that they have five players they consider starters. The rotation is going to be robust, with guys like Chiddi Obiazor, Travis Bates, and maybe even Cody Stufflebean able to slide inside to a 3-technique defensive tackle on occasion to give the ‘Cats a four-man front. They have five guys they like, and it seems like getting as many of these talented players on the field at the same time is a good idea.
My main question is star power. Can one of these five break out and give the defense a true game-changer on the defensive line?
They’re all good players, but are any of them great?
I love the depth, but someone needs to step up and match or exceed Brendan Mott’s 8.5 sacks last season. Tobi Osunsanmi could be that guy, but it’s going to be hard to replace Mott sitting on the bench nursing an injury, and Tobi has done a good bit of that in his career. Outside of him, I see a bunch of run-stuffing defensive ends that might work their way into a sack. Depth is good, but you need someone to bring extra juice to the line in 2025.
Defensive Line
#56 Damian Ilalio: 6-2, 300 – Sr.-3L – Manhattan, Kan. (Manhattan)
- #99 Uso Seumalo: 6-3, 340 – Sr.-3L – Maunaloa, Hawai’i (Garden City CC)
- #55 Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder: 6-6 305 – Jr.-SQ – Brockton, Mass. (Butler CC)
Thoughts
Local Kid done right Damian Ilalio is a stump in the middle of the K-State defensive line. That’s a compliment. Go outside, kick a stump, and report back. My guess is your foot is going to hurt, and the stump will be unmoved. His center of gravity is somewhere under the earth, and again, that’s a compliment.
He’s joined by half-man/half-volcano, Uso Seumalo. The big man in the middle has been a bit up and down during his career in Manhattan, but I’m glad he’s back for one more ride. When he’s healthy, he moves about as well as you’re going to see a 340-pound man move. I’d love to see the staff keep his snaps down to keep his energy high and, more importantly, keep him healthy for the full slate of games. Less may be more, in terms of Uso’s playing time.
Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder enters the rotation after joining the Wildcats from the junior college ranks last season. Size was a bit of an issue for Malcolm last season, but no longer. He’s up to 305, and at 6’6”, he brings a different element to the interior line than the more compact Ilalio and Seumalo.
The question I want to see answered on Saturday is if Uso and Damian can play together in a four-man front, with Ilalio moving to a penetrating 3-tech defensive tackle, while Seumalo remains at nose. You may see one of the strong side defensive ends shift inside on passing downs to give the pass rush a boost on third down. You may also see the Wildcat’s build a brick wall in the middle of the defensive line with their two monsters and force running backs to bounce outside, where the speed of the K-State defense should pay dividends.
I’ll report back with the answers next week.
Strong Side Linebacker
#32 Des Purnell: 6-0, 232 – Sr.-3L – Topeka, Kan. (Hayden)
- #20 Ralph Ortiz: 6-1, 226 – Jr.-TR – Jacksonville, Fla. (Univ. of West Florida)
Thoughts
Des was second on the team in tackles for loss last season behind Brendan Mott, and the Wildcats need the same type of energy out of him this season. He’s a compact wrecking ball who came into Kansas State as a RB/LB and still has the speed that made him a terror in the open field during his high school days. I wouldn’t consider last season a down year for Des, but he didn’t make the leap I was expecting. I think he still has another level, and the Wildcats need it.
The coaching staff brought in the 2024 First Team All-Gulf South Conference performer, Ralph Ortiz, from the University of West Florida to immediately fill a void in the linebacker depth chart. It looks like mission accomplished as Ortiz starts his K-State career in the two-deep. Best-case scenario: he gets to play in some blowouts while preparing to take over the job next season, but I’m more confident in Ortiz than any of the reserve linebackers from last season. It appears the coaching staff shares the same sentiment.
Middle Linebacker
#45 Austin Romaine: 6-2, 245 – Jr.-2L – Hillsboro, Mo. (Hillsboro)
- #57 Beau Palmer: 6-2, 226 – Sr.-3L – Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley)
Thoughts
Romaine is the beating heart of this defense. The returning leading tackler and All-Big 12 Second Team member from the 2024 squad, Austin Romaine could have one of the best linebacker seasons in Kansas State history if he stays healthy and things break the right way. The 2025 Nagurski and Bednarik Award watch list member is about as sure a tackler as you’ll find on the college level and already has 17 starts under his belt in two seasons of college football. Last season, he put up 96 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass defenses. This season, I fully anticipate him clearing the 100-tackle hurdle, if for no other reason than I anticipate K-State playing in a couple of extra games at the end of the year.
It’s nice to see Beau Palmer back from injury. I’m not sure I believe he’s Romaine’s back-up if Austin were to, perish the thought, go down with an injury for any sustained period, but I could be wrong about that. Beau acquitted himself well in 2023 when he had to start the Iowa State game and the Pop Tart Bowl against NC State. He’s serviceable at middle linebacker and a menace on special teams.
Weak Side Linebacker
#28 Rex Van Wyhe: 6-5, 236 – Jr.-1L – Rock Rapids, Iowa (Iowa Central CC)
- #35 Gabe Powers: 6-3, 237 – Jr.-TR – Marysville, Ohio (Ohio State Univ.)
Thoughts
One thing to keep in mind before I break down this position is that the weak-side linebacker is going to play significantly fewer snaps than the other linebacker position. When the defense shifts to a 4-2-5, this is the position that gets replaced by the “jack” safety.
I don’t have to tell this to Kansas State fans, y’all already know, but sometimes it takes a year for a JuCo transfer to get acclimated to big-time college football. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed with Van Wyhe performance last season. I was looking for him to be an instant impact performer coming out of JuCo, and he wasn’t that. That’s probably more of an expectations issue than a Rex issue. He still has all the physical tools at 6’5”, 236 to be a terror off the edge in the 3-3-5 defense, and based on the depth chart, something must have clicked this offseason.
Going into the offseason, I gave Ohio State transfer Gabe Powers the advantage over Van Wyhe for this position, and frankly, I’m glad I was wrong. Powers has solid potential in this defense, and if Rex is the better player right now, it means Rex is playing pretty dang good. I also think Powers could slot in at middle linebacker if the need arises.
Cornerback
#25 Zashon Rich: 6-1, 209 – So.-1L – Minneapolis, Minn. (North Community)
- #1 Jayden Rowe: 6-1, 227 – Jr.-TR – Tulsa, Okla. (Univ. of Oklahoma)
or
- #0 Amarion Fortenberry: 5-10, 178 – So.-TR – Columbia, Miss. (Univ. of South Alabama)
#9: 6-3, 194 – So.-1L – St. Louis, Mo. (St. Mary’s)
- #5 Justice Clemons: 5-10, 200 – Sr.-2L – West Columbia, Texas (Tyler JC)
Thoughts
Despite hitting the transfer portal and JuCo market hard this offseason, two homegrown talents in Rich and McIntosh get the initial nod on the depth chart. The ‘Cats are going to have some serious size on the perimeter with both Rich and McIntosh coming in at over 6’0” tall. Look for McIntosh on the boundary, where his height and long arms can help defend deep balls, and look for Rich on the boundary, where his size and physical play could pay dividends in both run and pass defense.
Rowe and Fortenberry are both transfer portal guys brought in to play right away. Rowe is a former 4* recruit in need of a fresh start after not getting any traction at Oklahoma. He’s another player with prototypical size for the position but needs to put it all together on the field for the first time in his college career. This feels like a bit of a “now or never” situation, but he’s in the right place to succeed after being an afterthought in Norman.
Fortenberry is the opposite side of the coin from Rowe. He began his career at South Alabama with no recruiting hype, and it was immediately clear that he wasn’t long for the Jaguars after putting up 45 tackles and two interceptions in 8 games as a true freshman. His 10 tackles and two pass breakups against LSU showed he belonged on a bigger stage. He gives the defense a smaller, quicker option to deploy at the corner when the need arises.
Last, but certainly not least, Justice James is another physical option on the outside with experience. He played in 11 games in 2023 and 13 in 2024. The staff won’t hesitate to put him on the field if the need arises. I think they trust everyone listed on the depth chart to perform when called upon this season.
Free Safety
# 6 Qua Moss: 5-10, 185 – Jr.-TR – West Point, Ga. (Univ. of West Georgia)
- #4 Daniel Cobbs: 5-10, 190 – Jr.-2L – Fort Worth, Texas (Tyler JC)
- #29 Kanijal Thomas: 5-11, 186 – So.-1L – Del City, Okla. (Del City)
Thoughts
The safety position in general was disappointing last season. Busts and missed tackles plagued the position group, and Qua Moss was brought in to try and fix things. Moss was a hot commodity on the transfer market, but K-State managed to make an impression early and sealed the deal after getting a visit. I’m going to assume he commanded a good chunk of change because he’s the type of portal player that tends to command a high price tag. He’ll get to show everyone why the coaching staff went all-in on him after he put up 56 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and 4 pass breakups last season at The University of West Georgia. He’s fast, hits hard, and as long as he doesn’t let guys run wide open in the secondary, he can only be seen as an improvement from last season.
Daniel Cobbs is a solid, experienced piece to have on the bench in case it takes Moss a few games to acclimate. Cobbs played in 12 games last season and picked off a crucial pass in the Rate Bowl to help spur on the comeback win. He doesn’t have the upside of Moss but should play a regular role in the secondary.
Thomas played in 7 games as a true freshman, but then got injured in camp and only managed to play in two games last season. Don’t write him off just yet; the coaching staff clearly sees something in Thomas because they don’t usually hustle true freshmen onto the field. A solid, injury-free season could set him up for future success in the program.
Jack Safety
#18 Wesley Fair: 6-1, 200 – So.-1L – Wichita, Kan. (Wichita Collegiate)
or
#10 Logan Bartley: 6-1, 213 – Fr.-HS – Naples, Fla. (First Baptist Academy)
- #14 Jet Dineen: 5-10, 195 – Jr.-2L – Lawrence, Kan. (Free State)
Thoughts
The Jack Safety plays closer to the line of scrimmage and is less likely to bust a coverage because, in general, they’re asked to do less in coverage. I was a huge fan of Fair coming out of Wichita Collegiate as a quarterback with safety aspirations, and I’ve been somewhat proven right. He handled the transition from offense to defense, and now he needs experience. The physical ability is abundant.
Speaking of physical ability, Logan Bartley has it. He’s a college freshman built like an NFL safety and runs a 40 in the 4.5 range. If you go back and watch his high school film, you’ll end up feeling bad for the opposition. I’m sure he’s caused more than one player to reconsider their career path after coming over the middle and finding Logan waiting. The man is a hitter and will cause you to blow snot bubbles if you lose track of him on the field.
Dineen was a staple on special teams last season, and if that’s the only role he plays again this year, he’s well worth the scholarship investment. He’s put in some serious work to hit the two deeps and will keep pushing for more playing time outside of special teams.
Strong Safety
#7 VJ Payne: 6-3, 208 – Sr.-3L – Gainesville, Ga. (Buford)
- #36 Jack Fabris: 6-2, 195 – So.-2L – Bogart, Ga. (North Oconee)
- #17 Mikey Bergeron: 6-2, 202 – So.-1L – Shawnee, Kan. (Mill Valley)
Thoughts
Payne is a heat-seeking missile who moves with remarkable grace and speed for a man of his size (trust me, I’m a man of his size) and arrives at the ball angry. He eats up ground with his long strides and, for my money (the very little of it that exists), has the highest NFL upside of anyone on the defense. VJ looks like an NFL safety, and hits like an NFL safety. Kansas State needs him to play like an NFL safety this year. That means keeping his focus and not getting so caught up in making a big play that he allows the other team to use his aggression against him. He’s one of the most experienced safeties in the nation, with 30 starts under his belt as a redshirt junior. This team needs him to lead the back end of the defense and set the tone early and then reinforce it often during the game.
Fabris and Bergeron are both solid options. Neither of them is VJ Payne, but they don’t have to be as long as VJ is healthy. Fabris has played more safety than Bergeron in college, including two starts last season. He recorded 280 snaps on defense and another 162 on special teams and should be involved heavily again this year. Bergeron is a key cog on special teams, recording 220 snaps, mostly on kick coverage teams. When you watch him cover kicks, it’s hard not to wonder what the 6’2”, 200-pound safety could do in the secondary. He’ll add another year of experience under his belt this season and should compete for the starting job after VJ departs for the NFL.
Overall
This defense is hard to pin down. In fact, it’s like writing about two different defenses at the same time, depending on whether they are running a 3-3-5 or a 4-2-5. Let’s cut to the chase: the defense was disappointing in 2024. That’s partially due to some expectations that, in retrospect, they didn’t have the talent or, more specifically, depth of talent, to live up to. There is a thin margin of error when you’re trying to jump from 9 wins to 10 or 11, and the defense missed too many tackles and busted too many coverages to make the jump.
I like what the coaching staff did in the portal to address some of the depth issues, but I also like that they didn’t blow it up the defense. The majority of the starters return from last season with some hard lessons learned. This is an experienced bunch, and they’ll need all of that experience come Saturday when they engage in Irish Farmageddon.
