A Very Early Look at Kansas State Football’s 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

Kansas State had a successful 2024 NFL Draft, with three players selected during the seven rounds.

Cooper Beebe It is Ben Sinnott were selected on Day 2, landing with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders respectively. Later in the draft, the Los Angeles Rams drafted offensive lineman KT Leveston.

Although the 2025 NFL Draft is just under a year away, K-State is expected to have another group of players selected. They may not have as many early draft picks, but they could have more than three players drafted.

Some fans may wonder why NFL Draft picks are worth discussing, but ultimately, the best teams in college football typically have several NFL-worthy players, and those players are usually a team’s best players.

With the pre-draft process just beginning across the country, here’s a look at K-State’s top NFL Draft prospects and where they could be picked next April.

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After surpassing 1,000 yards as a sophomore, DJ Giddens quickly rocketed up NFL draft boards, becoming a potential Day 2 selection in next year’s draft.

While the 2025 NFL Draft is expected to be a top-heavy draft, Giddens’ size, physical running style and receiving ability should have scouts salivating over the Junction City (Kans.) High School native’s potential.

Giddens will likely be named to the East-West Shrine Bowl or Senior Bowl watch list next season, and a strong junior season should cement him as a top-10 running back in next year’s class.

Expect Giddens to hear his name called somewhere between the third and fifth rounds of the NFL Draft. That’s a pretty big range, but it will even out as Giddens moves into the 2024 season.

Heading into his junior season, safety VJ Payne will be eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft but may elect to return for an additional season of eligibility.

As an established starter last season, Payne finished with 57 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one interception. In the Pop-Tarts Bowl against NC State, Payne tied a career-high with 10 tackles.

A heat-seeking missile on the field, Payne shows the range and effort that NFL teams covet. Combined with his size (listed at 6-foot-2), Payne is undoubtedly an NFL talent, even if he decides to return for his senior season.

Payne is one of the most underrated safeties in the country, and a strong junior season could see him skyrocket up draft boards. Currently, Payne is likely a late draft pick in need of additional tape.

Desmond PurnellHis size will be a hindrance to his chances of being picked in the NFL Draft. Ultimately, 6-foot-1 linebackers are not sought after in the league, even though they are incredibly talented players.

And Purnell is certainly a talented player, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention last season after finishing with 52 tackles, including 4.5 for loss.

Purnell will be the starting linebacker for K-State again, and a strong season against some of the schedule’s best offenses could boost his stock in the NFL Draft. However, he will likely return for another season to have an undeniable tape.

Keenan Garber didn’t emerge as a starter until late last season, so there isn’t much tape to support any potential NFL Draft claims. However, these final four games revealed a lot of what Garber can be.

Garber finished last season with 22 tackles, one interception and five passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, Garber did not allow any touchdowns last season on 46 targets.

Garber will be a starter this season, and 13 (or more) games of great tape should help him boost the NFL Draft boards. His stock may be limited due to his age, but his special teams experience and strong coverage skills should help him make an NFL roster.

North Dakota Transfer Easton Kilty will spend just one season at Kansas State, but may only spend one season with Conor Riley to see him become an NFL prospect.

Kilty was a three-year starter at North Dakota, playing all along the offensive line. That versatility and experience should help him earn a spot in NFL Draft circles as teams covet veteran offensive linemen.

As long as Kitly starts at left tackle this season, Kitly would have two seasons of experience at left tackle, one season at right guard and a season split between right tackle and left guard. Similar to KT Leveston last season, a team will likely take a chance on that experience, hoping it can translate into an NFL player.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marques Sigle will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. However, he will also likely receive some NFL Draft buzz with another solid season at safety in Joe Klandermanthe defense.

In his first season with the Wildcats, Sigle quickly emerged as a strong tackler and slot defender, finishing with 63 tackles, 10 passes defended and 3.0 tackles for loss. After the season, he was named All-Big 12 honorable mention.

NFL teams are constantly searching for defensive backs for openings, and by the end of next season, Sigle will likely have two seasons of experience in that role. He will also have special teams snaps and statistical results to support a potential draft pick.

However, like other players on this board, Sigle will likely be limited to the later rounds of the draft as he enters his fifth season of college football next season.