Disclaimer: As the 2020 current football season still is technically set to proceed as planned in Manhattan on Sept. 5, we will continue the Countdown as normal for now.

#55 Hayden Gillum

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-3 | 271 lbs. | Plainville, Kansas

Courtesy Kansas State Athletics

• Position: Offensive Line
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Scout Team
• Status: Preferred Walk-On

Hayden Tyler Gillum (b. Oct. 20, 1999) is a preferred walk-on offensive lineman from Plainville High School who redshirted in 2018 and saw action in one game in 2019, playing in a reserve role against Bowling Green. Despite this, he projects as a scout team center.

A four-year letter-winner at Plainville under head coach Grant Stephenson, Gillum earned first-team all-state honors as a junior and senior from The Topeka Capital-Journal, while he was a first-team honoree by The Wichita Eagle as a senior and an honorable mention pick as a junior after helping the Cardinals to earn an 11-2 record and become the state runner-up.

Gillum led his team in tackles all four years and was the second all-time leading tackler in the history of the league with 354 total tackles, including 206 solo stops, 14 sacks and five fumble recoveries. He also blocked four field goals and picked off three passes.

Gillum lettered four years in basketball in high school, and one year in track and field. His brother, Hadley, finished up his basketball career at Fort Hays State University in 2017-18.