2026 Kansas State NFL Draft Watch: Top Draft-Eligible Wildcats

Kansas State has several prominent prospects on the NFL Radar, including a showstopper safety on the backend of the defense.

2026 DRAFT RANKINGS: QB || RB || WR || TE || OT || OG || C || DT || ER || LB || CB || S

KANSAS STATE TOP DRAFT-ELIGIBLE PROSPECTS

Location: Manhattan, KS || Conference: BIG XII || Head Coach: Chris Klieman (6 years: 48-28; Overall: 48-28) || NFL Draft Picks Under Klieman: 13 (2.2/year) || NFL First Round Picks Under Klieman: 1 || Wildcats in NFL: 20 || [By Ryan Paglia of NFL Draft Bible]

VJ Payne, S, Sr, #7, 6030, 210, 0900, 3318, 8100, 4.50e, Gainesville, FL

Evaluation: Coming off back-to-back seasons in which the Wildcats recorded a 9-4 record, Kansas State will look to make a push at contending for the BIG XII title and their first college playoff berth. No stranger to the spotlight, the Wildcat defense will look to their veteran safety VJ Payne to lead them and be a major voice in the secondary. A safety who specializes in his aggression and run-stopping ability with effectiveness in zone coverage, Payne is coming off a productive season in which he accumulated 64 tackles, two interceptions and four pass deflections, making his presence known against both the run and the pass. However, there are areas of his game that will need refinement, if he wishes to improve his stock. His aggression will often cause him to become a liability in coverage against playaction. Too often, he will bite and without elite athleticism, he is late getting to his assignment. Payne excels in zone coverage but his ability in man coverage will need to be fine-tuned. Despite his flaws, Payne has managed to improve each season at the college level, so he is more than capable of continuing his development and raising his draft stock.

Background: Highlighted as an All-BIG XII Honorable Mention at free safety in 2024. Was the first true freshman to start for the Wildcats in a season opener since Jeron Mastrud in 2006. A three-star linebacker recruit who made the transition to safety when he committed to Kansas State; dual-sport athlete during his time at Buford High School in Georgia, as he competed in track and football.

Austin Romaine, LB, Jr, #45, 6016, 245, 4.79e, Hillsboro, MO