Predicting BREAKOUT Performers for K-State in 2025
As the 2025 college football season dawns, anticipation hangs thick over the Flint Hills of Manhattan, Kansas. K-State fans, still buzzing from a solid 2024 campaign, are bracing for what many believe could be a special season in the new-look Big 12. With conference realignment complete, powerhouses like Utah, Arizona, and Colorado now stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Wildcats. But amid the chaos, opportunity knocks—and a few breakout stars are poised to answer.
One name already swirling through preseason whispers is Dylan Edwards, the electric transfer running back from Colorado. A Kansas native and former Derby High School standout, Edwards was once committed to K-State before flipping to Notre Dame and eventually landing in Boulder. Now back in familiar territory, his 4.38 speed and dynamic open-field vision make him a nightmare for linebackers. Expect offensive coordinator Collin Klein to unleash Edwards in creative formations—jet sweeps, screens, and zone-read options with him and returning QB Avery Johnson should wreak havoc on Big 12 defenses.
Speaking of Avery Johnson, while he’s already a known quantity in Manhattan, 2025 might be the year he transcends the “potential” label and becomes a full-blown Heisman dark horse. His dual-threat capability shined in flashes last season—nearly 2,400 total yards and 23 touchdowns—but with an improved O-line and deeper receiving corps, Johnson could torch defenses for over 3,500 combined yards this year. He’s reportedly added ten pounds of lean muscle over the offseason, enhancing both his durability and velocity on deep throws.
Keep an eye, too, on Keaton Kubecka, the 6’2” sophomore wide receiver from Austin, Texas. Redshirted last season, Kubecka has been drawing rave reviews out of spring camp. His route precision and strong hands have made him Johnson’s go-to target in red zone drills. With Phillip Brooks gone, the WR1 role is up for grabs, and Kubecka’s blend of size, speed, and football IQ could make him the surprise star of the receiving room.
On defense, linebacker Tobias Powell looks ready to emerge as a sideline-to-sideline enforcer. A former 3-star recruit out of Tulsa, Powell sat behind veterans in 2024 but flashed explosiveness on special teams. Now a projected starter in new DC Joe Klanderman’s aggressive 4-2-5 scheme, Powell has the instincts and motor to be K-State’s next tackling machine—think a young Elijah Lee with a nastier streak.
With rising talents in key positions and a schedule that favors early momentum, 2025 could be a landmark year for Kansas State. The Wildcats might not be picked to win the Big 12 outright, but their blend of youth, speed, and hunger could make them the league’s most dangerous dark horse. If these breakout stars deliver, don’t be surprised to see purple in Arlington come December—and possibly a New Year’s Six bowl bid on the horizon.
