Manhattan, Kansas, is a weird place when the wind picks up and the expectations start to boil over. Honestly, if you’re looking at the kansas state depth chart 2025, you’re probably trying to figure out if this team is a dark horse or just a collection of really fast athletes who haven't quite "clicked" yet. Most people just look at the names and assume it’s business as usual for Chris Klieman. It’s not.
The 2025 season actually turned into a massive pivot point for the Wildcats. After a 6-6 regular season that felt like a rollercoaster with no seatbelts, the depth chart tells a story of a program caught between the "old way" and a very "fast way."
The Quarterback Room: Avery’s World
Basically, everything starts and ends with number 13. Avery Johnson isn't just a quarterback; he's the gravitational center of the entire offensive depth chart. By 2025, he’d fully taken the reins, and while the stat sheet shows he hit over 2,700 passing yards, the "eye test" was always about his legs. He was playing at over 200 pounds for the first time, trying to absorb the hits that come with Big 12 life.
Behind him, the depth chart was a bit of a scramble. You had Blake Barnett, the redshirt freshman from Colorado who everyone is high on, and Dillon Duff, a true freshman with a lot of tools but zero experience. If Avery went down, the playbook would've shrunk faster than a cheap t-shirt in a hot dryer. Matt Wells, the offensive coordinator, basically bet the farm on Avery’s development as a pocket passer, which we saw in flashes during that 273-yard performance against Iowa State.
🔗 Read more: Big Ten Basketball Score: Why These Mid-January Results Are Shaking Up the Conference
The Backfield and the "Star" Problem
It’s kinda funny—people thought Dylan Edwards would just come in and be Deuce Vaughn 2.0. He’s great, don't get me wrong, but the 2025 depth chart showed a lot more "running back by committee" than fans expected. Joe Jackson, the sophomore from Florida, actually started eating into a lot of those carries. He’s got that 212-pound frame that allows him to grind out the four-yard gains that Avery needs to keep the defense honest.
Then you’ve got the transfers. Gabe Ervin Jr. came over from Nebraska to add some veteran stability, but injuries have been his shadow for years. When the depth chart was released for the Sunflower Showdown, it was a mix of Edwards’ lightning and Jackson’s thunder. It worked—until it didn't.
Wide Receivers: Size vs. Speed
The 2025 receiver room was basically a height contest. You had Jerand Bradley at 6'5" and Jayce Brown, who is only 6'0" but plays like he’s 6'4". Brown became the go-to guy for Avery when things got tight. Honestly, seeing Bradley and Brown on opposite sides of the field is a nightmare for Big 12 corners who are usually built like track stars rather than physical stoppers.
Keagan Johnson was still there, providing that veteran presence, but the real surprise on the depth chart was Dante Thomas and the emergence of younger guys like Jaidyn Doss. The depth was there. The consistency? That was a different story.
The Defensive Front: The 3-3-5 Identity
Joe Klanderman’s defense is a bit of an enigma. They run that 3-3-5 base, which means the depth chart looks a little "thin" up front but "heavy" in the secondary.
- Defensive Ends: Cody Stufflebean and Ryan Davis were the anchors. Stufflebean is one of those guys who has been in Manhattan forever. He’s steady.
- Nose Tackle: Damian Ilalio held down the middle at 300 pounds. He’s the guy who does the dirty work so the linebackers can actually make tackles.
- Linebackers: This is where it gets interesting. Asa Newsom was supposed to be the breakout star. He has all the instinct in the world, but both knees have been through the ringer. When he’s on the field, the depth chart looks elite. When he’s not, you’re looking at guys like Austin Romaine and Desmond Purnell to over-perform.
The Secondary: Where the Games are Won
In the Big 12, if your secondary is trash, you’re losing by 40. The 2025 depth chart featured VJ Payne and Gunner Maldonado as the veteran safeties. They’ve played a lot of football. Maldonado, a transfer, brought a level of aggression that K-State fans love.
At corner, Zashon Rich emerged as a legit lockdown threat. He’s only a sophomore, but he’s got the twitchy athleticism that lets him stay in the hip pocket of those 5-star receivers from Texas Tech or Utah.
The Reality of the 2025 Roster
Let’s be real for a second. The kansas state depth chart 2025 wasn't perfect. The offensive line was a work in progress, especially after losing some stalwarts to the NFL and graduation. They brought in guys like George Fitzpatrick from Ohio State and Chase Duarte from San Diego State to patch the holes. Mike Schmidt, the OL coach, had his hands full trying to get five guys to play as one unit.
One thing people often overlook is the "Buck" position. It’s that hybrid defensive end/linebacker spot. Ryan Davis and Jordan Allen shared that role in 2025. It’s the most physically demanding spot on the field because you’re expected to rush the passer and drop into coverage. It’s exhausting just watching it.
Special Teams: The Hidden Edge
K-State has always been "Special Teams U." In 2025, Luis Rodriguez handled the kicking duties. He was solid, though K-State fans are spoiled and expect every kick to be a 50-yarder down the middle. Simon McClannan took over the punting, and honestly, his ability to flip the field was the only reason some of those one-score games stayed close.
What’s Next for the Wildcats?
The 2025 season ended with a bit of a shocker—Chris Klieman announcing his retirement and Collin Klein coming back to take over as head coach. This means the 2026 depth chart is going to look radically different as the "Klein Era" begins in earnest.
If you’re tracking this roster, here are the moves you need to make:
📖 Related: Chicago White Sox vs Mets: Why This Random Interleague Matchup Actually Matters
- Monitor the Portal: With a coaching change, the 2025 depth chart is already becoming a "who's left" list. Watch for guys like Avery Johnson to see if they stick around for the transition.
- Focus on the Trenches: K-State is only as good as its offensive line. Check the spring camp reports to see if the young guards are finally putting on the "good" weight.
- Watch the "Buck" Position: This is the tell-tale sign of how aggressive the new staff wants to be on defense. If they move to a 4-man front, that 2025 depth chart goes out the window.
The 2025 season was a wild ride that didn't necessarily end in a trophy, but it laid the groundwork for what Kansas State football is becoming. It’s faster, it’s younger, and it’s way more unpredictable than the Bill Snyder days ever were.
To get the most out of following this team, stop looking at the 3-star vs 4-star rankings. Look at the "starts" column. Experience is the only currency that matters in the Big 12, and by the end of 2025, this depth chart was finally getting rich.
Practical Steps for Fans
- Bookmark the official K-State Athletics roster page: It’s updated faster than the national sites and includes the walk-ons who often end up starting by November.
- Follow local beat writers: Guys who are at practice every day see the positional battles that the depth chart doesn't show.
- Check the snap counts: A player might be "second" on the depth chart but play 40 snaps a game in sub-packages.
The 2025 depth chart was a bridge. Where that bridge leads depends entirely on how many of these names decide to stay in Manhattan for the next chapter.