NOTE: Kansas State has elected to advance players’ classification even though the 2020 season did not affect eligibility. Those who wish to take advantage of this extra year will be listed as a (“super”) senior again after their original eligibility would have been exhausted.

Kingsley Ugwu

True Junior | 6-3 | 305 lbs. | Tucson, Arizona

Courtesy Hutchinson Community College Athletics

• Position: Offensive Line
• Previous College: None
• Projection: Third-String
• Status: On Scholarship

Kingsley Ugwu is a JUCO offensive lineman from Hutchinson Community College who literally just committed to K-State on June 18. He will provide more depth at offensive tackle.

Ugwu, who originally hails from Sahuaro High School in Tucson, Arizona, and plans to major in architecture, was a two-year starter for the Blue Dragons. He has a redshirt available, too.

As part of one of the best offensive lines in Hutchinson program history, Ugwu helped the Blue Dragons to win an undefeated national championship and post scores like 77-7 in 2021, as well as rank second in the NJCAA in scoring offense (45.4 points per game), fourth in total offense (472.8 yards per game) and second in rushing offense (273.5 yards per game).

This culminated in his being named to the NJCAA All-American first team, marking K-State’s first such addition since Iowa Western teammates Jake Waters and Devon Nash in 2012.

“His best days are ahead of him and looking forward to watching him continue to grow as a player and leader,” Ugwu’s community college coach told GoPowercat.com recently:

“Kingsley is an athletic, physical, and long offensive tackle that is solid in all phases of the game,” head coach Drew Dallas tells GPC of the 6-foot-4, 311-pounder who will have four years to play three in Manhattan. “He has a nasty streak on the field, but is exactly what you want in a teammate and player from a culture standpoint.”

The Wichita Eagle’s Kellis Robinett offers further analysis of this late-developing addition:

K-State returns all five starters on its offensive line, but Ugwu will have an opportunity to compete for playing time right away. The Wildcats seem to like what they are bringing back with Noah Johnson at center, plus Cooper Beebe and Josh Rivas at guard. But tackle was a question mark at times for the Wildcats last season. At the least, Ugwu will be expected to push for a spot in the tackle rotation...

Ugwu chose K-State over offers from Baylor, Colorado, East Carolina, Liberty, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas Tech, UNLV and Utah State. He played at Hutch with fellow future K-State teammates Kirmari Gainous and Justin Gardner.