These former Kansas State football players have high hopes for the NFL Draft
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Kansas State produced 12 NFL Draft selections over the past four drafts.
- Sam Hecht is considered a potential middle-round pick who could go as early as Round 3.
- VJ Payne is projected to possibly be selected as early as the fourth round.
There is no better method than the NFL Draft to determine whether a college football team is upgrading or downgrading its overall talent level.
Rosters with the most skill send numerous players to the next level every year. Rosters with middling star power sometimes fail to develop a single pro.
With that in mind, this promises to be another satisfying week for Kansas State. The Wildcats have produced 12 selections over the past four drafts, and a few more players with EMAW ties are expected to hear their names called this week when the draft begins on Thursday in Pittsburgh.
Two former K-State players appear to be locks for the draft. A few more could get selected in the late rounds or catch on with a team as an undrafted free agent.
If things play out as expected, the Wildcats will have produced multiple NFL Draft picks in five consecutive years.
K-State last accomplished that draft streak during the Bill Snyder era, when the program elevated a whopping 29 draft picks between 1999 and 2004.
Out of all of K-State’s NFL Draft hopefuls this year, Sam Hecht is favored to go first.
The 6-foot-4 and 303-pound center from Shawnee is considered a potential middle-round selection now that his time with the Wildcats is complete. Not only did he emerge as one of the best offensive linemen in the Big 12 last season, he also ran the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds at the NFL Draft Scouting Combine.
His mixture of athleticism, experience and size could make him an intriguing choice for any team that is looking to upgrade its front five. Experts believe he could go as early as the third round.
VJ Payne is another potential middle-rounder.
The 6-foot-3 and 206-pound defensive back from Gainesville, Georgia put on a show at the combine when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds and posted a vertical jump of 35 inches. Payne is an elite athlete who made 59 tackles, broke up three passes and grabbed an interception while starting all 12 games for the Wildcats last season.
He was an honorable mention All-Big 12 player as both a junior and as a senior.
His length and speed could help him move up the draft board. Experts project he could go as early as the fourth round. He could boost any team’s secondary next season.
Both former K-State players will be on alert when the middle rounds get underway on Friday. But there’s always a chance they won’t get selected until Saturday.
A few other former K-State football players are hoping for good news this week. Wide receiver Jerand Bradley, linebacker Desmond Purnell and defensive back Gunner Maldonado have all made a NFL push in recent months.
They project as late rounders or undrafted free agents.
The more picks K-State ends up producing, the stronger its football roster appears.