Disclaimer: As the 2020 football season still is “technically” scheduled to proceed as planned in Manhattan, with the recent delay of our season opener until Sept. 12 against Arkansas State, we will reset and continue this Countdown for just a little bit longer...

#23 D.J. Render

Redshirt Senior | 5-11 | 191 lbs. | Kennesaw, Georgia

Courtesy Kansas State Athletics

• Position: Defensive Back
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Third-String
• Status: On Scholarship

Darrel Joseph Render (b. March 25, 1998) is a speedy, athletic defensive back who got his feet wet with two seasons as a wide receiver, amassing no statistics, and then competed for increased playing time in the secondary rotation in 2019 after his spring position switch.

Render, who is earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications in December 2019 in the hopes of becoming a sports commentator, used his redshirt season to develop in 2016.

He saw action in three games in 2017, receiving snaps against Central Arkansas, Charlotte and UCLA, but did not record any statistics.

Render also saw time in seven games in 2018, but once again did not record any statistics.

After switching positions, he played in four games on special teams and as a reserve defensive back in 2019, made a tackle on kickoff coverage against Bowling Green, and earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors following Chris Klieman’s inaugural season.

Render played for North Cobb High School under head coach Shane Queen, and recorded 52 catches for 520 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2015 en route to all-county honors and multiple offensive player of the week accolades.

He helped to lead the Warriors to consecutive state playoff appearances as a junior and senior, and played basketball, also leading that team to the state playoffs.

Render also competed in the long jump in high school.