One moment at Big 12 Media Days shows why K-State has high hopes for Wesley Fair
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wesley Fair told Big 12 media he aims to be a first‑team all‑conference safety.
- Fair played 409 snaps last season, recording 36 tackles, three PBUs and a fumble TD.
- Coach Collin Klein praised Fair’s energy, leadership and recent growth.
Collin Klein’s main news conference at Big 12 Media Days earlier this week didn’t end with a question from a reporter.
It concluded with an inquiry from one of his K-State football players, who had humorously decided to embed himself within a room full of scribes even though he was wearing a purple Wildcats uniform.
The player: Wesley Fair.
The question: Does Klein cheer for the K-State offense or defense at practice?
The answer didn’t really matter. But one thing was clear from the entertaining exchange between player and coach: Fair is operating with more confidence than he ever has before now that he is a junior safety with the K-State football team.
“My biggest goal this season is to be a first team all-conference safety,” Fair said later at the Big 12 media event. “I think that’s very achievable for me. Along with that, if everything goes to plan, I would like to be a consensus All-American and I would like our team to win every game. I think all those things are within reach.”
Anything close to those goals would be a massive step forward for Fair, who is entering his fourth season with the Wildcats since joining the team as a three-star recruit out of Wichita.
Last year, he played in all 12 games for K-State. But he wasn’t a full-time starter. He made 36 tackles to go along with three pass breakups. He also had one touchdown on a fumble recovery against TCU. Overall, he saw action on 409 snaps. Many of them came on special teams.
Not bad. But he will need much more production to earn a spot on the All-Big 12 team.
He thinks that is possible now that he is playing for Klein, especially after he was selected to represent the Wildcats at Big 12 Media Days along with quarterback Avery Johnson, running back Joe Jackson and linebacker Rex Van Wyhe.
“It’s definitely an honor to be here,” Fair said. “I was surprised. I didn’t expect to come. I have just been doing what I’ve been told, trying to lead the guys to the best of my ability in practice. I guess this shows I am doing something right.”
Klein said it was hard for him to select a pair of K-State defensive players for Big 12 Media Days, because so many of them have caught his eye as hard workers and leaders since he took over as head coach. But Fair stood out from the pack.
More than anyone else in the K-State secondary, he seems to have embraced Klein’s vision.
“He’s got really good energy and passion,” Klein said. “He cares for his teammates and for our program. Watching him grow, even in the last three to four months, has been really cool. I’m excited for where he’s going.”
Fair said it wasn’t easy for him to become a vocal leader during spring practice. But he got used to it over time. He is no longer afraid to challenge his teammates.
He is beginning to see himself as the quarterback of the K-State defense.
He is also starting to make plays.
“He had quite a few interceptions in the spring,” Van Wyhe said. “He’s flying around back there. He is also able to come down and defend the run really well. He has really grown as a leader, too. We needed someone to step up in the secondary, and that is exactly what he’s doing.”
So much so that he has the confidence to ask his coach a question at Big 12 Media Days, and shoot for the stars as he prepares for the upcoming season.