Kansas State Wildcats head coach Collin Klein has work to do.
He’s a first-year head coach, and the Wildcats are coming off a 6-6 campaign. Sure, they were technically bowl-eligible, but they didn’t accept their bowl invitation as they navigated the retirement of Chris Klieman to Klein, a former K-State quarterback.
It just wasn’t a good season.
Expectations are high for Klein, or at least the hype is. He was the Big-12 offensive player of the year for Kansas State in 2012. In 2024 and 2025, he led one of the top offenses in college football as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Texas A&M Aggies.
Many in Manhattan believe Klein can get the Wildcats back to competing in the Big 12 and nationally, but as always, recruiting success has to be a big part of that in the long-term.
To that point, Klein just picked up the biggest recruiting win in his young tenure as head coach of Kansas State.
The Wildcats beat out Florida State and North Carolina for four-star cornerback Joshua Vilmael.
Collin Klein and Kansas State land big-time CB recruit Joshua Vilmael
This is a commitment that made sense for Vilmael. From Richmond, Texas, his brother, Josiah, was a three-star cornerback signee for Kansas State’s 2026 class.
It’s a family thing for the younger Vilmael, and those are the vibes he got from K-State.
“Family Business is not just a saying there,” Vilmael told Rivals regarding his commitment. “Everyone played, coached, or grew up in Kansas. Coach JP (Jordan Peterson) is a defensive backs guy and has taught the best. Coach (Marcel) Yates is a lot like me, takes the emotion out of it, and wants the best guys on the field.”
This is a big commitment for Kansas State. According to the 247Sports Composite, Vilmael is the No. 22 cornerback in the country. As a junior for Fort Bend Travis High School, he notched two interceptions, seven pass breakups, three tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and even four kick blocks.
He can do it all, and he believes he’ll be able to see the field right away at Kansas State.
“I feel I have an opportunity to play early,” Vilmael said. “The staff is welcoming and well-mannered. “Strength and conditioning staff and nutritionists are outstanding. Just felt like an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
