Early Signing Period: Kansas State Football 2020 Class

What a whirlwind first year it’s been for new Kansas State Wildcats head coach Chris Klieman. This time last year, he was just beginning the journey, eking-out a early signing class that included 15 young men, and nearly half of that group were players that committed in the week or so following the retirement of Bill Snyder. Eight of those 15 saw action in 2019, including grad-transfer James Gilbert who became the starting running back for the Wildcats, and Jax Dineen — a KU legacy — who participated in nearly every game at fullback.

This class may not go down as one of Klieman’s best ranking-wise, as it is still in the mid-40’s according to the recruiting services, but it is going to be looked back at as a benchmark for both Klieman’s recruiting direction as well as ability to actually continue to build a program at this level. While last year’s class was still mostly Klieman’s players, he was behind on getting to many recruits. This time he’s had a whole year to work on these guys — camp seasons, official spring visits, and putting an actual product on the field — and the work has certainly paid off. Many in this class are expected to be on-campus in January, and several are expected to push for significant playing time if not become starters outright early in their careers.

It’s a good, strong group of young men, and a class that will be talked about for years to come.

This will serve as your open thread for signing day, and we’ll keep it as updated as possible throughout the day.

So here is where we stand as of 12:00 pm CST:

Names in BOLD have officially signed with K-State, rankings are Rivals/247/ESPN

• Felix Anudike, DE, Lee’s Summit, MO (Lee’s Summit), 6’4” 220, NR/2/NR
• Aamaris Brown, DB, Tampa, FL (Armwood), 6’0” 180, 3/3/3
• Dawson Delforge, OL, Wamego, KS (Butler CC), 6’5” 315, 2/3/3
• Tee Denson, DB, Ellenwood, GA (Cedar Grove), 6’1” 175, 3/3/3
• Kirmari Gainous, DE, Tallahassee, FL (Hutchinson CC), 6’4” 255, 3/3/3
• Justin Gardner, DB, Charlotte, NC (Hutchinson CC), 6’2” 175, 2/NR/NR
• Jeremiah Harris, LB, Pearland, TX (Shadow Creek), 6’1” 208, 3/3/3
• DeMarrquese Hayes, LB, Waco, TX (La Vega), 6’2” 195, 3/3/3
• Robert Hentz, DE, Batesville, MS (Northwest Mississippi CC), 6’2” 270, 3/3/3
• Will Howard, QB, Downingtown, PA (Downington West), 6’4” 205, 3/3/3
• Nate Matlack, DE, Olathe, KS (Olathe East), 6’4” 210, 3/3/3
• Malachi Mitchell, DB, Mansfield, TX (Mansfield Legacy), 6’0” 183, 3/3/3
• Witt Mitchum, DE, McKenzie, TN (McKenzie), 6’7” 250, NR/NR/NR
• Christian Moore, TE, Huntington Beach, CA (Huntington Beach), 6’3” 228, 2/3/3
• Keyon Mozee, RB, Lee’s Summit, MO (Lee’s Summit North), 5’7” 165, 3/3/3
• Derick Newton, DT, Douglas, GA (Butler CC), 6’2” 280, 3/NR/NR
• Hadley Panzer, OL, Lakin, KS (Lakin), 6’3” 290, 2/3/3
• Sam Shields, OL, Manhattan, KS (Manhattan), 6’5” 287, 3/3/3
• Tajiri Smith, DB, Powder Springs, GA (McEachern), 5’10” 185, 3/3/3
• Makholven Sonn, ATH, New Iberia, LA (Westgate), 5’11” 165, 3/3/3
• Cody Stufflebean, DE, McPherson, KS (McPherson), 6’4” 232, 3/3/3
• Will Swanson, TE, Papillion, NE (Papillion-La Vista), 6’5” 240, 3/3/3
• Jaelon Travis, WR, Mansfield, TX (Mansfield Summit), 6’0” 187, 2/3/3
• Ronald Triplette, DE, Pearland, TX (Shadow Creek), 6’3” 245, 3/3/3
• Chris Vaughn, RB, Round Rock, TX (Cedar Ridge), 5’7” 170, 3/3/3
• Talor Warner, DT, Gardner, KS (Gardner Edgerton), 6’4” 265, 3/3/3
• Carver Willis, OL, Durango, CO (Durango), 6’5” 260, 3/3/3
• Joseph Wilson, DB, Houston, TX (North Shore), 6’1” 175, 3/3/3

UPDATE 7:30am: It is expected that several listed here will not sign this period. That’s not an issue with them (or K-State) looking elsewhere, but rather an issue with grades/qualifications. So if a kid you like doesn’t sign today, don’t fret just yet.

UPDATE 8:15am: The first non-committed player who hadn’t committed before signing day has signed, as Justin Gardner from Hutch CC signed his NLI for the Cats this morning. Hutch CC now with two players to K-State, matching Butler CC.

UPDATE 9:20am: Second “surprise” of the day comes with the signing of Aamris Brown to his NLI. The Tampa native was an early commit to Indiana, and fielded offers from all over the eastern half of the country.

UPDATE 12:15pm: With 23 young men now officially signed with K-State, it appears as though all who are signing in the early period have done so. That leaves, technically, two spots remaining, however there are some newer rules that allow over-signing and “count backs” (basically, kids that count towards the next year’s limit instead of this year’s limit), so expect 4-5 more guys to sign-on in February.