Kansas State football's 2026 signing day class rankings, analysis

MANHATTAN — Kansas State football will hope it has found some diamonds in the rough and can develop its newest recruits beyond what they are rated by several recruiting websites.

The Wildcats’ recruiting rankings took a bit of a step back from the 2025 class, which was aided by the addition of five-star tight end Linkon Cure. There are no five-star recruits in Collin Klein’s first class, which was largely recruited by Chris Klieman and his staff, as he heads into his first season as coach.

The different recruiting outlets differ on several Kansas State players they believe are worthy of four-star rankings, while they are pretty consistent about where the Wildcats rank nationally and within the Big 12.

Here’s a look at the Wildcats’ recruiting rankings with National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Where 247Sports rates Kansas State football recruiting class

247Sports Composite ranks Kansas State’s recruiting class 53rd in the country, ninth among Big 12 schools.

According to 247Sports’ own rankings, the Wildcats have only one four-star recruit in Lawson McGraw, a 6-foot-4 athlete out of Blue Valley West. The site ranks him 20th among the country’s athletes. K-State previously said it projects McGraw as a tight end.

247Sports considers Oliver Miller (OT), Josiah Vilmael (DB) and Bennett Fraser (IOL) as K-State’s other top prospects. Among JUCO signees, the site rates Derrick Salley Jr. as the No. 1 wide receiver among junior college transfers, with Michael Graham Jr. as the third-best safety.

Where Rivals rates Kansas State football recruiting class

Rivals ranks Kansas State’s recruiting class 45th in the country, seventh among Big 12 schools.

According to Rivals’ rankings, the Wildcats have three four-star recruits, which include Vilmael, Arley Morrell (TE) and Maxwell Lovett (WR). Vilmael is the highest-ranked, ranking No. 281 overall in the country.

Where ESPN rates Kansas State football recruiting class

ESPN ranks Kansas State’s recruiting class 50th in college football, ninth among Big 12 programs.

The Worldwide Leader has Tucker Ashford listed as a four-star EDGE, the only player the site gives four stars. A recent write-up by Craig Haubert notes that defensive tackle Adrian Bekibele could develop into a good run defender and that running back Tanner West could be an interesting weapon for Klein to use.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football 2026 signing day rankings from websites