The Road to 2026: Roster Rebuilds and High Stakes at K-State
The Wildcats’ basketball roster is nearly set, and the football team is strategically plugging gaps for a high-stakes 2026 campaign.
On the latest episode of 3MAW, hosts John Kurtz, Derek Young, and Cole Manbeck dive into the roster construction of new head basketball coach Casey Alexander and the late-summer momentum of Chris Klieman’s football squad.
Basketball: Length, Logic, and the Alexander System
With 13 scholarship players now on board, including Xavier transfer Pop Injai, the Wildcats are leaning into size. Kurtz notes that this is likely the tallest team of Alexander’s career, with eight players standing 6’6” or taller.
While the hosts worry about backcourt depth—specifically the pressure on true freshman Jaden Alexander—they acknowledge that Alexander’s system-first philosophy often thrives with versatile, role-specific players rather than high-priced stars.
Football: Juco Additions and the 5-for-5 Rule
The football program is bolstering its trenches with late Junior College additions like defensive tackle Elijah Jackson.
However, the biggest looming storyline is a potential NCAA rule change: the “Five-for-Five” rule, which would give athletes five years of eligibility with no redshirt restrictions.
The Avery Johnson Factor: If the rule passes, star QB Avery Johnson could return for a fifth season.
NIL vs. NFL: The crew discusses how staying in Manhattan for a fifth year might be more lucrative for Johnson than being a mid-round NFL pick, with top-tier college QBs now commanding upwards of $5–$7 million annually.