BREAKING: Kansas State Football’s 2026 Recruiting Class Sees Multiple Decommitments and Flips, No Major Additions Reported
MANHATTAN, Kan.** – The Kansas State Wildcats’ 2026 recruiting cycle has been marked more by departures than arrivals, with the program losing several commitments to other schools during the late signing period rather than securing the nation’s top prospect.
In the weeks leading up to the Early National Signing Day, Kansas State experienced two significant decommitments from players who flipped to Arizona. The most notable loss was four-star interior offensive lineman **Justin Morales** from El Paso, Texas, who had been committed to K-State since June before announcing his flip to Arizona on Nov. 30 . Morales, ranked by Rivals as the No. 348 overall player in the 2026 cycle and the No. 29 interior offensive lineman, became the third-highest rated commit in Arizona’s class .
Earlier in November, the Wildcats also lost three-star safety **Hannibal Carter Navies** from Loganville, Georgia, who flipped his commitment to Arizona after taking an official visit to Tucson for the BYU game . Navies, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound defensive back who had been committed to Kansas State since June 15, chose the Wildcats after Arizona extended him an offer in October .
The departures came during a transitional period for Kansas State football. The Wildcats finished the 2025 season with a disappointing 6-6 record, falling well short of Big 12 championship expectations . Following the season, head coach Chris Klieman was replaced by **Collin Klein**, the former Kansas State quarterback who had been serving as the team’s offensive coordinator .
Under Klein’s leadership, the Wildcats have focused on rebuilding through a combination of high school signings and an aggressive approach to the transfer portal. Kansas State signed 26 high school players in the 2026 class and added 27 transfers in January, bringing 53 total newcomers to the program . The high school class currently ranks No. 57 nationally according to 247Sports Composite rankings .
The Wildcats’ 2026 high school signees are highlighted by in-state talent, including four-star tight end **Arley Morrell** from Pratt, rated by Rivals as the 24th-best tight end in the country and the No. 3 overall prospect in Kansas . Morrell recorded 63 receptions for 1,029 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final three prep seasons and is also a standout basketball player and track athlete .
Other notable additions include four-star wide receiver **Nash Morrison** from Basehor, who earned first-team all-state honors as a senior after catching 64 passes for 1,017 yards and 13 touchdowns , and four-star linebacker **Lawson McGraw** from Blue Valley West, who is the Wildcats’ top-rated high school prospect .
K-State also found success in the junior college ranks, flipping several Hutchinson Community College prospects who had been committed elsewhere . The Wildcats signed wide receiver **Derrick Salley Jr.** , the top-ranked juco receiver in the country, and defensive back **Michael Graham Jr.** , ranked as the No. 1 juco safety .
The Wildcats have also been active in the transfer portal, adding 27 players including Big 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year **Wendell Gregory** from Oklahoma State, Missouri transfer wide receiver **Josh Manning**, and several other Power Four contributors .
With 16 members of the 2026 recruiting class already enrolled and participating in spring practices, Klein and his staff are working to build depth and competition as the program moves forward under new leadership .
