Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the Big 12. Welcome to a list of the Kansas State Top 5 NFL Draft prospects for 2023, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29. Starting today? We take a look at the Big 12 seniors, the class of 2023. Since we don’t know yet which underclassmen will declare? We’ll reconfigure the rankings when that happens, so be sure to revisit us.
Our Big 12 Draft prospect series will run beginning soon and will run for the next week, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the Big 12’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up afterwards. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
BIG 12 TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall Big 12 Top Prospect List
BIG 12 PROSPECTS: Baylor | BYU | Iowa St. | Kansas | Kansas State | TCU | Texas | Texas Tech | Oklahoma| Oklahoma St. | West Virginia
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So, we all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks on it. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences, but the vast majority don’t have that many top-flight prospects. But, we also know that the definition “top-flight” doesn’t always pan out, and at the same time that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot? He ends up making an NFL and flourishing.
Below is a look at the Kansas State Top 5 Draft Prospects, and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. Again, for now, we’ll go strictly with seniors (c/o 2023), as no underclassmen have been allowed to declare earlier yet, though when they do? We’ll update the lists below.
KANSAS STATE TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Julius Brents (CB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 4th or 5th round
CAREER STATISTICS: Brents spent his free three years during his collegiate career at Iowa before transferring into Kansas State prior to the 2021 season. Brents played in 11 games during his freshman season in 2018. During that season, he would rack up 13 total tackles, an interception and four total passes defended.
In 2019, Brents would miss out on the year due to injury and he decided to redshirt. He would see action in seven games with the Hawkeye defense in 2020 before transferring to Kansas State in the offseason. In his first year with Kansas State he would be earn Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors. Heading into the 2022 season he would receive preseason honors of being on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list and listed preseason All-Big 12.
THE TRUTH: According to draft scouts, Brents is projected in either the fourth or the fifth round heading into next year’s draft. He is listed as a high priority free agent by more than 20 NFL teams and listed as a fifth to seventh round prospect by more than six NFL teams. Brents ball skills are what puts him into the range of being in the discussion of a middle round draft pick and he has the capability tracking the ball down the field.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Malik Knowles (WR)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA (High Priority Free Agent)
CAREER STATISTICS: Knowles started his career at Kansas State during his freshman season in 2018. He would see action in four games, before he was able to redshirt. Knowles would continue to see the field more in 2018 as he hauled in 27 receptions for 397 yards and three touchdowns.
In 2020, Knowles would start in nine games as he finished the year with 13 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns. He would also rush six times for 100 yards and a touchdown on the year. Knowles would continue that momentum heading into 2021 as he finished the year with 662 receiving yards.
Knowles was also dynamic in the return game as he finished second nationally with two-kickoff return touchdowns in 2021.
THE TRUTH: According to draft scouts, Knowles is currently listed as a HPFA1 (which means that he is the first best free agent situation out of Kansas State). Knowles is also listed as a Top 350 prospect going into next year’s NFL Draft. His size and his value in the special teams will put Knowles in the later rounds of the draft. It shouldn’t shock anyone if Knowles lands on an NFL roster come this time next year.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Ty Zentner (P)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA (High Priority Free Agent)
CAREER STATISTICS: Zentner would start his collegiate career at Butler before transferring to Kansas State. During his time with Butler, he would be rated as the best junior college kicker. In his first season with Kansas State in 2019 he would serve as the kickoff specialist. Zentner held an average of 60.3 and had 14 touchbacks on kickoffs.
Heading into the 2020 season, Zentner would be the primary kickoff man and split punting duties. Zentner punted 28 times for a 40.8 yard average. He would also kickoff 47 times for a 60.1 yard average. His role would increase in 2021 where he finished the year with a 43.7-yard punting average. His performance in 2021 gave him Honorable Mention All-Big 12 accolades.
THE TRUTH: According to draft scouts, Zentner is listed as a HPFA2 (which means that he is the second best free agent situation out of Kansas State. Zenter has proven that he can do it all in the kicking game as he has been involved as a kicker, kickoff specialist and a punter during his collegiate career. His ability to do the trifecta will be getting NFL scouts eyes heading into next year’s NFL draft and it wouldn’t be surprising if he hears his named called in the later rounds.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Daniel Green (ILB)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA (High Priority Free Agent)
CAREER STATISTICS: Green would reshirt during his freshman season in 2018. He would see more action on the field in 2019 where he spent his time as a reserve linebacker a part of the special teams. Green would end the year with 34 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
He would became a part of the regular rotation for the Kansas State defense in 2020 as he would set career highs with 39 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the year. Green would have a breakout year in 2021 as he would lead the team in both tackles (89) and tackles for loss (16.0). His performance on the field in 2021 would give him Honorable Mention All-Big 12 honors.
THE TRUTH: According to draft scouts, Green is listed as a HPFA3 (which means that he is the third best free agent situation coming out of Kansas State. Green is a freak of nature and will continue to climb up draft boards. He has the nose to the football and he is able to make the big-time plays that will catch the eyes of NFL scouts across the league.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Josh Hayes (FS)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: HPFA (High Priority Free Agent)
CAREER STATISTICS: Hayes spent his time at North Dakota State and Virginia before transferring to Kansas State before the 2022 season. He would play in all 15 games with the Bison during his freshman season in 2017. He would continue to see action on the field in 2018 where he registered 28 tackles, one tackle for loss and three pass breakups.
Hayes continued to be a focal point for the Bison secondary during the 2019 season as he would earn Second Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors after tallying 59 tackles and 12 passes defended, including two interceptions. In 2020, he would finish the year with 30 tackles before transferring to Virginia.
During his time with the Cavaliers, he would only see game action in three contests. Green would record at tackles during Virginia’s game against Louisville.
THE TRUTH: According to draft scouts, Hayes is currently listed as a HPFA5 (which means he is the fifth best free agent situation coming out of Kansas State). Hayes has experience at playing both at the cornerback and safety position during his collegiate career. His versatility will be able to impress scouts and leapfrog him into his name being called this spring.
