Kansas State football finished spring practice last week with an eye on the upcoming season, but that hasn’t stopped coach Chris Klieman and his staff from addressing the future as well.
The Wildcats picked up their third high school commitment of the 2026 recruiting cycle and second in a week Friday, swooping in and stealing three-star Putnam City, Oklahoma, linebacker Dejon Ackerson.
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Ackerson, a 6-foot-3, 193-pounder from Putnam City High School, chose the Wildcats over multiple Power Four offers, including in-state schools Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. He took an unofficial visit to Manhattan on April 17.
Ackerson is a consensus three-star prospect who had 71 tackles in 12 games as a junior last year, including 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He is the No. 17-ranked player for his position in his class by On3.
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K-State linebackers coach Steve Stanard led the recruiting effort with Ackerson.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman watches from the sideline during last year’s game against Oklahoma State at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Earlier in the week, the Wildcats picked up their first in-state commitment from Mill Valley High School offensive lineman Lemarcus Barber. Barber, who has a three-star rating from Rivals, also had offers from Iowa State and Arkansas State, plus received interest from Arkansas, Boston College, Missouri and Nebraska.
K-State has enjoyed recent success with Mill Valley products, including starting center Sam Hecht, promising redshirt freshman offensive lineman Gus Hawkins, safety Mikey Bergeron and former kicker Chris Tennant.
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The Wildcats’ first 2026 commitment came from Texas cornerback Brandon Ford, who gave his pledge last October.
Kansas State football 2026 recruiting tracker
2026 RECRUITING COMMITMENTS
High school players
Dejon Ackerson — 6-0, 193, linebacker, Putnam City, Okla.
Lemarkus Barber — 6-3, 280, interior offensive lineman, Mill Valley HS (Kan.)
Brandon Ford — 5-10, 170, cornerback, Crowley, Texas
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: It was a good week for Kansas State football’s 2026 recruiting cycle
