It’s turning into a busy day in the transfer portal for Kansas State, and not in a good way. Just minutes after losing defensive back Donovan McIntosh to the transfer portal, the Wildcats are now down another body on defense with Ryan Davis heading out the door.
Davis was one of those guys who felt like he could’ve taken a step in 2026. He wasn’t a household name by any means, but he played real snaps, flashed some burst off the edge, and looked the part when he was out there. He posted 14 total tackles and four sacks in 2025 for K-State, and now will look for a new program to call home.
This isn’t some catastrophic loss that’s going to tank the defense, but it does chip away at the kind of depth Kansas State usually hangs its hat on. Davis didn’t start every game, but he was part of the rotation and clearly had a shot to carve out a bigger role next year. That’s off the table now, and with more players possibly weighing their options, the staff’s got work to do to keep the room steady.
There’s also something to be said about timing here. When you start to see multiple guys head to the portal on the same day, it’s usually not a coincidence. Players talk. Guys share how they feel about where things are going, and when one makes a move, others follow. It’s the new normal, and Kansas State’s feeling the weight of that today.
Davis is going to be a solid pickup for someone. He’s got two years of eligibility left, he’s got legit reps under his belt, and he’s not undersized like some of the edge guys who float around the portal. Someone’s going to plug him in and let him get after quarterbacks.
As for Kansas State, the defensive line gets thinner, and the portal retooling continues. No panic needed, but if this trend keeps up, it might be time to get a little uncomfortable in Manhattan.
