It will take some work for Kansas State football to match last year's draft success, which was the Wildcats' best in over 20 years.
K-State has four players selected in 2023, including defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzoma, who went to the Kansas City Chiefs and was shutout in the first round, and cornerback Julius. Brents was selected in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts. Additionally, defensive back Josh Hayes was taken in the sixth round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and All-America running back Deuce Vaughn was taken in the sixth round by the Dallas Cowboys.
Although the Wildcats lost their opener Thursday night in a shutout, up to four players ended up on various draft boards. Tight end Ben Sinnott was sent in the second round against the Washington Commanders, and offensive guard Cooper Beebe was selected in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys, but offensive lineman KT Leveston and defensive end Khalid Duke could be available in the later rounds. Saturday.
Before last year's success, K-State's best drafts were in 2001 and 2002, when six players were selected.
Here's what you need to know about each player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Related:The 2024 NFL Draft could be another productive draft for Kansas State football.
Related:2024 NFL Mock Draft: Predicted destinations for four top Kansas State football prospects
TE Ben Sinnott: Washington Commanders, 2nd round (53rd overall)
An early entry as a redshirt junior, Synnott became the first K-State tight end to be drafted since 2001, when he was taken in the second round by the Washington Commanders.
Synnott had a breakout season in 2022, starting every game and catching 31 passes for 447 yards and four touchdowns. And he even surpassed that last year with 49 receptions for a team-high 676 yards and six touchdowns.
Synnott, a former walk-on, also played fullback for the Wildcats. In fact, he was named All-Conference Big 12 as a fullback in both 2022 and 2023.
OG Cooper Beebe: Dallas Cowboys, 3rd round (73rd overall)
Cooper Beebe was selected in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys, 73rd overall, and is the first K-State offensive lineman to be taken since Dalton Risner was selected 41st overall by the Denver Broncos in 2019. .
Beebe was a first-team All-American as a senior and was named the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year the past two seasons. He was named first-team all-conference at left tackle as a sophomore and played at left guard the past two seasons.
In Dallas, Beebe will be reunited with former K-State All-America running back Deuce Vaughn, the Cowboys' sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Check back as we have more Wildcats to choose from.
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett Network. You can contact him at: agreen@gannett.com Or on Twitter @arnegreen.
