Jimmy Coffman
Tuesday, September 1st, 2026
Top 3 Takeaways from Collin Klein’s Last Preseason Press Conference
The inaugural game of the Collin Klein era is days away and his latest press conference lets us in on what to expect from this new K-State unit.
As his first depth chart was released, Kansas State Head Coach Collin Klein held a final preseason press conference before the Cats take the field against Nicholls State this Saturday. There were many questions to be answered about some of the roster spots and who to watch for this weekend as well as what he expects in his first run at the helm. Though Klein covered almost every position group, there were a few positions that received a good chunk of air time. Through those chunks, we have a good look into what can be expected from Klein as a coach, and from this brand new K-State roster.
1. RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS HAVE THE MOST DEPTH
Kansas State football released the first official depth chart in congruence with the first pregame press conference ahead of the season opener against Nicholls State. Though there were plenty of interesting position changes and surprises, one of the most interesting choices from Klein was to list three starters in both the tight end and running back groups.
Though guys like RB Joe Jackson and TE Garrett Oakley have been the number one option in the past, there’s no clear-cut lead between them and guys like RB Jay Harris or TE Linkon Cure. “I think that’s what will really take shape here in these first couple weeks. I’m excited to see those guys compete,” Said Klein. “I think the depth there is really good. How they’ve competed and worked together is really good.”
Both the tight end and running back rooms have been integral to K-State offenses since the beginning of the Snyder era. With Klein’s promise of delivering the “New Old School”, the competition in both of these areas should be exciting to watch as the season heats up.
2. THE OFFENSIVE LINE HAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO ANSWER
As the offseason has progressed through spring into summer, Klein’s offensive line has taken a beating before the first snap of real football has even been played. It starts with All Big 12 tackle John Pastore, who suffered a season-ending injury to his lower leg just as the fall semester had kicked off. With him goes George Fitzpatrick, a fifth-year tackle from Ohio State who hasn’t played a down as a Cat after transferring to Manhattan for the 2025 season.
On top of the already amounting loss of seniority, freshman Oliver Miller will miss some weeks with an injury. Now, with three members of the line out for long periods of time and senior Tanner Morley listed as questionable, who are the starters for week one?
Week one’s offensive line against Nicholls State features three juniors and two sophomores, with a potential senior in Tanner Morley taking snaps if his body allows. The tackles feature Gus Hawkins and Ryan Howard, brother of Steeler’s quarterback Will Howard. From there, Charlie Adams and Keiton Jones take the guard positions and sophomore Dylan Villarouel secures the center.
Though young, Klein expressed some pride towards the development of some of the younger members of the line. “We’ve been moving a lot of guys around. It’s definitely not like we projected it going in,” said Klein. “But I’ve also been really proud of how guys have worked through it. Ryan Howard and Tyler Johnson had a really good week last week… You look at Charlie Adams and Chase Duarte, those guys are different players than when they got here in January.”
Though there are no returning members of last year’s line to look towards for returning production, Klein has linemen with bodies of work like Tyler Johnson to lean on if some of the younger members don’t pan out.
3. COACH KLEIN IS EXCITED TO SHOW OFF THE SECONDARY
Coach Klein has always been an offensive mind, but there were a number of questions pointed to him about what to expect from this Wildcat defense in 2026. There has been just as much turnover defensively as there is offensively, most notably in the secondary.
With the departure of starters like Amarion Fortenberry, Daniel Cobbs and VJ Payne, there were a lot of holes created that Klein had to fill in a short window. Around starters Wesley Fair and Zashon Rich is a mix of new faces and returning underclassmen. Illinois transfer Kaleb Patterson brings two years of experience with the Illini to the table, something Klein admires about the senior.
“I thought his maturity, his competitive maturity, being an older guy in that room with some young guys around him, I think was really good,” said Klein. “He’s done a great job on our leadership council. For a new guy coming in to make the impact that he has been really tremendous.”
Though Patterson’s veteran presence in the locker room was met with praise, Klein also showed admiration for freshman nickel back JoJo Scott and how far he’s grown to earn a starting role. “His development curve has been extremely steep,” said Klein. “He loves to compete, he loves football, and you see him constantly asking questions. He’s up in the office all the time.”
Though there’s a wide range of classes in KSU’s secondary, Coach Klein seems more than ready to let the guys get to work on the gridiron on Saturday. Whether they’re freshmen, seniors or fifth years, Klein made it clear that no one’s job is permanent and everyone’s always in a position to be a starter any given week.