Kansas State football players Sam Hecht and VJ Payne are expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, taking place from April 23 to April 25 in Pittsburgh. Other former Wildcats may sign as undrafted free agents after the draft concludes.
Key points
Sam Hecht and VJ Payne are expected to be drafted
2026 NFL Draft runs from April 23 to April 25
Hecht is a top center prospect
Payne tested well in the predraft process
Kansas State has a history of early draft selections
Mentioned in this story
Pittsburgh
Kansas State WildcatsSam HechtVJ Payne2026 NFL Draft
Kansas State football players picked in 2026 NFL draft: Tracking every player selected
MANHATTAN — The 2026 NFL Draft has arrived, and a pair of Kansas State football players will anxiously await phone calls from general managers, informing them where they will begin their professional careers.
Center Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne are widely expected to be selected during the draft, which opens Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh, and runs through Saturday, April 25. Other former Wildcats will wait until the end of the draft so they can sign with teams as undrafted free agents. Perhaps there will be a surprise or two along the way.
Hecht is considered one of the best center prospects, while Payne tested well in the predraft process. The Wildcats have had at least one player selected in the first three rounds of the past three drafts.
Here's what you need to know about Kansas State players at the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Q&A
Which Kansas State football players are expected to be drafted in 2026?
Sam Hecht and VJ Payne are the Kansas State football players widely expected to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
When does the 2026 NFL Draft take place?
The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25 in Pittsburgh.
What positions do Sam Hecht and VJ Payne play?
Sam Hecht plays center, while VJ Payne plays safety for the Kansas State football team.
How have Kansas State players performed in recent NFL drafts?
Kansas State has had at least one player selected in the first three rounds of the past three NFL drafts.
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Kansas State sophomore offensive lineman Gus Hawkins (70) works on a drill with sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Howard (72) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State players run to positions during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein slaps hands with senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State football players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State defensive lineman coach Buddy Wyatt watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein fist bumps associate head and wide recievers coach Thad Ward during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State senior quarterback Jacob Knuth (7) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State tight ends coach Brian Lepak makes calls during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State defensive backs coach Jeremiah Johnson watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State running backs coach Cory Patterson runs with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State junior offensive lineman Tanner Morley (77) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State sophomore quarterback Blake Barnett (3) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State offensive lineman coach Mike Schmidt talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State sophomore defensive back Koy Beasley (0) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State defensive tackles coach Jordan Dove talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State redshirt freshman safety RJ Collins (13) runs plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State senior defensive back Adrian Maddox (2) works through plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State freshman running back Tanner West (24) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State sophomore running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) makes a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State quarterbacks coach Christian Ellsworth talks to players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State junior tight end Will Anciaux (80) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State sophomore tight end Linkon Cure (0) walks to a position during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State senior running back Jay Harris (9) runs drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State sophomore wide receiver Ben Wheeler (27) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
Kansas State defensive players work through drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
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A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
1 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
2 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore offensive lineman Gus Hawkins (70) works on a drill with sophomore offensive lineman Ryan Howard (72) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
3 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State players run to positions during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
4 / 31
Why Kansas State QB Avery Johnson decided to stay for Collin Klein
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein slaps hands with senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
5 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State football players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
6 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State defensive lineman coach Buddy Wyatt watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
7 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein fist bumps associate head and wide recievers coach Thad Ward during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
8 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
9 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State senior quarterback Jacob Knuth (7) warms up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
10 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State tight ends coach Brian Lepak makes calls during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
11 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State defensive backs coach Jeremiah Johnson watches players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
12 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State players warm up during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
13 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State running backs coach Cory Patterson runs with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
14 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State junior offensive lineman Tanner Morley (77) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
15 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore quarterback Blake Barnett (3) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
16 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State offensive lineman coach Mike Schmidt talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
17 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore defensive back Koy Beasley (0) works on plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
18 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State head coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
19 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State defensive tackles coach Jordan Dove talks with players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
20 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State redshirt freshman safety RJ Collins (13) runs plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
21 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State senior defensive back Adrian Maddox (2) works through plays during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
22 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State freshman running back Tanner West (24) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
23 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore running back Rodney Fields Jr. (20) makes a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
24 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State quarterbacks coach Christian Ellsworth talks to players during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
25 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State senior quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws a pass during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
26 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State junior tight end Will Anciaux (80) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
27 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore tight end Linkon Cure (0) walks to a position during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
28 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State senior running back Jay Harris (9) runs drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
29 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State coach Collin Klein walks the field during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
30 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State sophomore wide receiver Ben Wheeler (27) makes a catch during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
31 / 31
A look inside Kansas State Wildcats football spring practice
Kansas State defensive players work through drills during practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
How many Kansas State players have been picked at NFL Draft?
So far, no Kansas State football players have been selected during the first round of the NFL Draft.
K-State center Sam Hecht has been considered by many to be a Day 2 selection. Safety VJ Payne could go late on the second day, though he's been frequently projected to go early on the third. All others are considered undrafted free agent possibilities.
Kansas State football players to watch in NFL Draft
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com