Kansas State's 2024 breakout candidates: Juniors (2024)

VJ Payne will be a big part of K-State's defense this upcoming season. The 6-foot-3safety recorded at least one solo tackle in every game last season for K-State. VJ also managed to grab an interception against Texas Tech in Lubbock. This upcoming season will see a lot more playing time for VJ as he steps into a bigger role in the safety position, with key departures such as Kobe Savage now gone.

VJ's biggest game last season came in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against NCState, where he tallied 10 total tackles in K-State's 28-19 victory. K-State saw how big of an impact he can make when given more playing time, and this year, it will be VJ's big chance to be a big-time player from the safety position

Health is the biggest factor for a breakout season from Keagan Johnson.

Over his three years in college he has shown amazing explosiveness, including averaging almost 20-yards per catch his freshman season at Iowa. However, injuries during his sophom*ore year and lingering issues last year have prevented him from taking that next step that so many have been anxiously awaiting.

There is a pretty open receiver room this yearin Manhattan with the top two targets from last year having moved on. Aside from Jayce Brown, Johnson could see the most increased opportunities if, and most importantly, he can play at full strength.

For years, it seems as if the K-State coaching staff has been speaking very highly of Andrew Leingang. But when will we see this hype translate on the field? At some point, Leingang is going to make an impact.

It's not certain which exact position Leingang will play within the OL, but his talents will find him a role.

Jacob Parrish has been a solid to very good cornerback during his Kansas State career, but now that he has two years of experience, expect Parrish to take a significant step forward. The more this kid sees and experiences, the more he grows, and that process could be greatly accelerated this season, with him on the field and matched up with some elite receivers around the Big 12. Yes, he's a bit undersized, but he can compensate with his speed. If his experience adds up to a half-step saved of reaction time, he will be running with future NFL receivers and battling for the ball.

Position lead Conor Riley has been talkingup this Mill Valley alum forthe better part of a year now and it appears the timehas have finally arrived for Hecht to prove his mentor right and assert himselfas a mainstay up front.

Hayden Gillum's departure has cleared an opening for the starting center post that, by all accounts, Hecht has the right of way towards. Essentially, the Wildcats seem to be approaching the season as if Hecht is the man until he shows he isn't.

The next few weeks will be vital in the near 290-pounder cementing that role.Mentally, I don't think there's much doubt aboutthe fourth-year juniorbeing ableto handleassignments and make calls. Instead it will likely come down to whether he's physically able to withstand the pressure, both from larger defenders and from theinexperienceofhigh reps prior to 2024.

A longtime fan of Hecht's since his days as a Jaguar, I have high hopes and view the interior lineman as a name capable of having the biggestsurge from anyroster member transitioning from the bench to active starter.

For a player to have a "break out season," a lot has to happen. Not only do they have to perform at a high level compared to expectations, but people outside of the program have to take notice. Around the Kansas State program, no one would be surprised if DJ Giddens rushes for 1,000 yards and has 15 touchdowns on the ground. Nationally though, that would be a surprise to many who don't follow the Wildcats.

Giddens is an all-around back who can do it all. He may not get the shine that quarterback Avery Johnson does, but his hard-working, blue-collar attitude will carry him far in 2o24. Look for the Junction City native to put up big-time numbers in what could be his final season in purple.