The Kansas State football team updated its roster this week, which means the start of spring training on March 7 isn’t far off.
Brand new players like Maize quarterback Avery Johnson now have a designated number (he’ll wear #5 next season) and returning players like offensive lineman Cooper Beebe have put on some weight (he’s up to 332 pounds) since fans last saw them at the Sugar Bowl.
It also means departing stars like Deuce Vaughn and Felix Anudike-Uzomah can no longer be found on the school’s website.
Here’s a full breakdown of the most notable changes in K-State’s updated roster:
The numbers for the new arrivals
The Wildcats have added 18 new players to their roster since the start of the spring semester. Those early arrivals settled on the numbers and weighed in with force personnel.
In numerical order…
1 – Jayce Brown, freshman 5-foot-11 and 172-pound WR
5 – Avery Johnson, 6-2 and 178 freshman QB
7 – Kam Sallis, 6-1 and 206 freshman DB
8 – Will Lee, 6-3 and 190 DB sophomore
9 – Treshaun Ward, 5-10 and 194 senior RB
18 – Wesley Fair, 6-0 and 197 freshman DB
19 – Keagan Johnson, 6-0 and 196 second WR
20 – Trey Engram, 5-6 and 174 freshman RB
21 – Marques Sigle, 5-11 and 187 junior DB
23- Andre Davis, 6-4 and 195 freshman WR
25 – Collin Dunn, 6-1 and 180 LB freshman
26 – Terry Kirksey, 6-3 and 228 LB junior
28 – Rex Van Wyhe, 6-5 and 225 LB sophomore
35 – Simon McClannan, 5-11 and 174 freshman K
37 – Austin Romaine, 6-4 and 244 LB freshman
85 – Wesley Watson, 6-1 and 193 freshman WR
92 – Jevon Banks, 6-2 and 295 junior NG
98 – Chiddi Obiazor, 6-6 and 250 freshman DE
Another note: There are no images associated with Will Lee’s information yet, which means he is not yet on campus. K-State hopes he gets closer to the start of spring practice.
Fullback Scholarship leaves the team
It looks like Jax Dineen won’t be back for one more season with the Wildcats.
Dineen, a 5-foot-10 and 244-pound fullback from Lawrence, could have returned to the football team for at least one more year in 2023, but now it appears his playing days are over.
He is no longer listed on the K-State roster after playing in 37 games in four seasons with the Wildcats.
While it’s not exactly a surprise, she has never publicly announced her future plans. Dineen never entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal or stated that he would pursue a pro career. It appears that he is ready to pursue other options than football after college.
Dineen was used only sparingly last year, as he gained two yards on one rushing attempt. But his ability to run for tough yardages and make physical blocks made him a popular player in previous seasons.
His brother, Jet Dineen, will be a redshirt freshman safety for the Wildcats this season.
Move up one weight class
More than a few K-State football players hit the weight room in early 2023.
This is obvious by looking at the weight some Wildcats have put on before spring practice begins.
John Pastore, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, made the biggest jump, going up 19 pounds to 291.
Jet Dineen wasn’t far behind him, adding 16 pounds to reach 202 on the scale. Tobi Osunsanmi, a redshirt freshman linebacker, was next in line as he added 12 pounds to come up with 228.
Desmond Purnell, Nickendre Stiger, Cooper Beebe, KT Leveston and Donovan Rieman have all put up 10 pounds to help them play a little stronger next season.
Also of note: Will Howard has grown to 242 pounds. That should make him one of the greatest quarterbacks in the country next season.
Some players have also lost a significant amount of weight. Offensive lineman Taylor Poitier dropped 11 pounds to 280 as he recovered from a season-ending injury. Fullback Christian Moore was also down eight pounds to 235.
