K-State football running back DJ Giddens announces NFL Draft decision. Here’s what it means
One of the best running backs to ever wear a Kansas State football uniform is heading to the NFL.
DJ Giddens announced on Saturday that he will forgo his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Junction City product departs K-State after a stellar run with the Wildcats that featured 3,087 yards and 23 touchdowns as a rusher.
Only two other players have rushed for more yards in the history of K-State football — Darren Sproles and Deuce Vaughn.
Giddens was at his best this past season as he amassed 1,601 yards of total offense and also found the end zone seven times. He was named to the All-Big 12 second team when the regular season came to an end.
Few expected this type of career from Giddens when he committed to K-State as an unknown recruit without a star ranking or single other scholarship offer. But the Wildcats saw potential in him, and he realized it while playing for Chris Klieman.
It will be interesting to see how Giddens projects as a pro prospect. He is best know as a power runner, but he showed off his breakaway speed at times this season.
K-State fans were holding out hope that Giddens would return to school for one more year, but it wasn’t to be.
“I believe that everything I’ve been through in my life has led me to this exact moment in time,” Giddens said, “ready to chase my dream of playing in the National Football League.”
The Wildcats will likely lean on Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson as they look to replace his talents next season.
But it won’t be easy. Giddens put his name in the K-State record books.