Kansas State football is set to have two players, Sam Hecht and VJ Payne, selected in the upcoming NFL Draft. Several other players are also expected to sign with teams as undrafted free agents after the draft concludes.
Kansas State football players to watch in this week's NFL Draft
MANHATTAN — Kansas State football is expected to have two players selected in this week's NFL Draft, but more names are likely to land with teams via undrafted free agency.
Center Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne should hear their names called, but there are a handful of other players who declared for the NFL Draft who will try to work their way onto teams. Those players will quickly sign with teams and land minicamp invitations once the seventh round concludes on Saturday, April 25.
K-State has had multiple undrafted free agents who have gone on to have success in the league. The most notable recent K-State standout is wide receiver Byron Pringle, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs when they won the Super Bowl in 2020.
Here are the players who could land with NFL teams by the end of the week.
Hecht could hear his name during the second day of the draft, as he's considered by some to be the top center available. He's a two-year starter who never allowed a sack for the Wildcats.
There's a small chance Payne could be called on the second day, but it's more likely he'll be taken early on the third day. He started three-and-a-half years at K-State and has had great workouts throughout the predraft process.
The Athletic graded Bradley as the draft's 34th-best tight end despite playing wide receiver throughout college. He dealt with injuries during his lone season with the Wildcats after transferring from Boston College. He's listed at 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and caught 13 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns across nine games at K-State.
Center Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne are expected to be selected in the NFL Draft.
Undrafted Kansas State players will likely sign with teams as free agents and receive minicamp invitations.
Byron Pringle is a notable undrafted free agent from Kansas State who achieved success in the NFL, including winning a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.
The NFL Draft is set to conclude on Saturday, April 25, 2023.
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Nelson struggled with injuries in his lone season with the Wildcats after spending his first three at Penn State. The Athletic graded Nelson as the draft's 36th-best guard.
Poitier started 28 games across 43 appearances in five seasons. In 2025, he started all 12 games at left guard while listed at 6-foot-3 and 302 pounds. The Athletic graded Poitier as the draft's 38th-best guard.
Seaumalo started in two games across 50 appearances over his four years with the Wildcats. He had 57 total tackles, including nine for a loss and 2.5 sacks. He's graded by The Athletic as the draft's No. 61 defensive tackle.
The Topeka native is graded by The Athletic as the No. 62 linebacker in the draft. A Hayden graduate, Purnell was a fan favorite while starting 38 games and being a two-time All-Big 12 honorable mention pick. He finished his career with 190 combined tackles, eight sacks, two interceptions, with one returned for a touchdown.
Clemons started in four of his 31 appearances. He's graded by The Athletic as the No. 157 corner in the draft. He made 31 total tackles and defended two passes across three years.
Maldonado is graded by The Athletic as the No. 32 safety in the draft. He played one season at Kansas State after playing the previous four at Arizona. During his lone season in Manhattan, he had 38 total tackles and a pair of interceptions.
Willis played in 35 games and started 18 for the Wildcats from 2020-24 before ending his career with a season at Washington. He's The Athletic's 19th-best offensive guard and is considered a late-round prospect.
Lee played one season in Manhattan and started nine games in 2023 after transferring from Iowa Western. He finished his career with two seasons at Texas A&M. The Athletic grades him as the draft's No. 21 cornerback and labels him as a Day 3 selection.
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
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football players to watch in this week's NFL Draft