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#26 Sawyer Schilke

Redshirt Freshman | 6-3 | 230 lbs. (-4) | Kearney, Nebraska

• Position: Linebacker
• Projection: Scout Team/Special Teams
• Remaining Eligibility: 4 years
• Status: On Scholarship

Sawyer Schilke (b. May 9, 2007) is a highly touted young linebacker from Kearney, Nebraska, who redshirted and did not see any game action in 2025. He is majoring in business administration.

Schilke prepped under head coach Brandon Cool at Kearney High School, where he was regarded as the 46th-best inside linebacker in the Class of 2025 and the eighth-best overall prospect in the state of Nebraska by ESPN.

He finished his high school career with 207 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 11 sacks; set the school record for career tackles for loss; and tallied 114 tackles during his senior campaign.

Schilke earned Super State first-team honors as a junior and senior from the Lincoln Journal Star, while he was named a first-team all-state performer both years by the Omaha World-Herald.

He rushed for 163 yards and eight touchdowns during his prep career, and he also competed in wrestling.

Schilke signed with K-State over scholarship offers from North Dakota State and Northern Illinois (to which he previously was committed), as well as strong recruiting interest from Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota State and Wyoming. His lead recruiters were his previous position coach, Steve Stanard, and ex-defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman.

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