Kansas State Wildcats end football transfer cycle with promising batch of newcomers
It appears that Chris Klieman and his Kansas State coaching staff are done exploring the transfer portal for new football players ahead of the 2025 season.
The spring semester is underway in Manhattan, and the Wildcats have officially announced the additions of 14 newcomers to their roster. It is now time for Klieman to turn his focus to high school recruiting and then spring football practice.
He can turn the page knowing that K-State had a productive month in the transfer portal.
The Wildcats produced a top-25 transfer class during the winter portal window, according to On3. And they added promising players at positions of need.
For example, wide receiver was an important position for K-State after it bid farewell to Dante Cephas, Keagan Johnson and Tre Spivey. The Wildcats had to reload with new talent, and they did exactly that with the additions of Jerand Bradley (Boston College), Caleb Medford (New Mexico) and Jaron Tibbs (Purdue).
All of them will be given an opportunity to make an impact next season.
Defensive back was also a vital spot for the Wildcats after they lost Jacob Parrish and Keenan Garber to the NFL Draft. But they brought in Amarion Fortenberry (South Alabama) and Jayden Rowe (Oklahoma) to compete for playing time at corner. They also added Gunner Maldonado (Arizona) and Mar’Quavious Moss (West Georgia) to help out at safety.
A pair of national championship winners will also soon join the K-State football roster. Gabe Powers, a 6-foot-4 linebacker, and George Fitzpatrick, a 6-foot-6 offensive lineman, have both transferred in from Ohio State.
The Wildcats have added more than a dozen players to their nucleus as they look to build off a 9-4 season with Avery Johnson returning at quarterback.
Here is a look at K-State’s complete incoming and outgoing transfer class:
Kansas State’s incoming football transfers
Jerand Bradley (Boston College wide receiver)
Gabe Ervin (Nebraska running back)
George Fitzpatrick (Ohio State offensive lineman)
Amarion Fortenberry (South Alabama defensive back)
Gunner Maldonado (Arizona defensive back)
Caleb Medford (New Mexico wide receiver)
Mar’Quavious Moss (West Georgia defensive back)
Ralph Ortiz (West Florida linebacker)
Gabe Powers (Ohio State linebacker)
Jayshawn Ross (Alabama linebacker)
Jayden Rowe (Oklahoma defensive back)
Brandon Sneh (Wagner offensive lineman)
Amos Talalele (USC offensive lineman)
Jaron Tibbs (Purdue wide receiver)
Kansas State’s outgoing football transfers
Evan Cantu*
Jayden Cook*
Jordan Dunbar (Bowling Green)
Keagan Johnson (New Mexico)
Darell Jones*
Terry Kirksey (Connecticut)
Alec Marenco*
Erwin Nash (Northwest Missouri State)
Donovan Rieman (Louisiana Tech)
Ta’Quan Roberson (Buffalo)
Gabe Roland (Emporia State)
Kam Sallis (Jackson State)
Tre Spivey (Arizona)
Nickendre Stiger (Old Dominion)
Dante Thomas (Coastal Carolina)
Carver Willis (Washington)
Justin Wolf (Western Kentucky)
*Has not yet announced a new school.
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 4:30 AM.