🏈 Four K-State players named to college football award watch lists

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Four Kansas State football players have earned spots on preseason watch lists for some of college football’s top individual awards ahead of the 2026 season.

QB Avery Johnson and RB Joe Jackson were named to the Maxwell Award pre-season watch list. (Courtesy K-State Athletic Communications)

Running back Joe Jackson and quarterback Avery Johnson were both named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which recognizes the most outstanding player in college football.

Offensive tackle John Pastore was selected to the Outland Trophy watch list, while tight end Garrett Oakley was named to the John Mackey Award watch list.

The National College Football Awards Association began announcing preseason watch lists for 16 awards on Aug. 3, with additional lists scheduled to be released through Aug. 21. That means more Wildcats could be added to the list in the coming weeks.

OL John Pastore has been named to the Outland Trophy pre-season watch list. (Courtesy K-State Athletic Communications)

Johnson is no stranger to preseason recognition for the Maxwell Award. The K-State quarterback was also named to the award’s preseason watch list in 2024 and 2025. Former Wildcats to receive Maxwell Award recognition include Darren Sproles, Tyler Lockett, Skylar Thompson, Deuce Vaughn, Will Howard and DJ Giddens.

K-State has produced two Maxwell Award finalists. Quarterback Michael Bishop was a finalist in 1998, while current K-State head coach Collin Klein was a finalist in 2012. Jake Waters was a semifinalist in 2014.

Pastore joins a long list of K-State offensive linemen to receive preseason consideration for the Outland Trophy, which is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.

Previous Wildcat candidates include Nick Leckey, B.J. Finney, Cody Whitehair, Dalton Risner and Cooper Beebe. Beebe became an Outland Trophy finalist in 2023.

Oakley is making his second consecutive appearance on the Mackey Award preseason watch list. The award recognizes the nation’s most outstanding tight end. Former K-State tight end Ben Sinnott was a semifinalist for the award in 2023.

Garret Oakley has been named to the John Mackey Award watch list. (Courtesy K-State Athletic Communications)

The Wildcats are preparing for their first season under head coach Collin Klein. K-State opens the 2026 season Sept. 5 against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.