Kansas State football celebrated two athlete selections in the 2022 NFL Draft and multiple players picked up as undrafted free agents. This means at least one K-State player has been drafted in 28 of the past 29 years and marks the 16th time multiple players were selected.
Skylar Thompson:
With pick number 247 in the seventh round, the Miami Dolphins gave quarterback Skylar Thompson the phone call fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming an NFL quarterback. Thompson started 40 games for the Wildcats and is the only player in school history to have at least 6,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards.
Thompson slated impressive numbers at the NFL Draft Combine following his super-senior season, but critics were surprised with the pick for a few reasons. One reason is that they believe Miami picked up another “injury-prone” quarterback in Skylar Thompson: the other is because Tua Tagovailoa showed flashes of success.
However, the seventh-rounder out of Palmyra, Missouri, couldn’t have asked for a better fit. Whether it’s Tagovailoa’s lack of performance or his injuries, the former Wildcat has an opportunity to win the starting position.
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Russ Yeast:
Six picks later, the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams selected safety Russ Yeast with the 253rd pick in the seventh round.
Yeast started one season for the Wildcats but made the most of it by making defensive First Team All-Big 12. The honor was earned through four interceptions (second-best) and hard-hitting football.
While the celebration continues for Yeast and his family, he’ll have an uphill battle for playing time as the Rams currently secure two veteran safeties in Jordan Fuller and Taylor Rapp.
Other Wildcats in the NFL:
K-State football saw other players picked up by NFL teams as undrafted free agents, including offensive linemen Josh Rivas and Ben Adler to a struggling New York Giants squad.
Josh Rivas earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in his senior season as a key component in K-State’s 29 rushing touchdowns and not allowing a single sack in 362 pass block attempts. Ben Adler started 21 games over the past two seasons for the Wildcats and could potentially make a pro debut with the struggles at the offensive line in New York, according to Sports Illustrated NFL Draft: All-Undrafted Team.
Defensive tackle Timmy Horne also signed with an NFL team, the Atlanta Falcons. Horne made an impact on the front line for the Wildcats in his super-senior season with 20 tackles.
Some former Wildcats announced future minicamp attendance as well. The list includes defensive end Bronson Massie (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Jahron McPherson (Atlanta Falcons) and tight end Daniel Imatorbhebhe (New York Jets).
