Kansas State Flips JUCO DL from Washington State

Kansas State just landed a big dude with some big potential. Andy Burburija, a JUCO defensive tackle out of Iowa Western, has flipped his commitment from Washington State to the Wildcats, giving K-State a trench piece that could matter sooner rather than later.

The timing is weird, but the fit makes a ton of sense. Burburija was on a visit to Manhattan this past weekend and clearly liked what he saw. He’s 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, and ranks among the top JUCO defensive linemen in the country. It didn’t take long after the trip for him to make it official. He decommitted from Wazzu and announced he’s headed to the Little Apple instead.

Credit goes to Chris Klieman for sealing the deal, even if the whole situation around the program right now feels like a swirling storm of what’s next. The reports about Klieman retiring are still floating, and all signs continue to point toward Texas A&M offensive coordinator Collin Klein being the guy to take over. But until anything’s official, Klieman’s technically still the head coach, and apparently still recruiting like it.

Adding a guy like Burburija isn’t just about raw measurables. It’s about need. K-State’s defensive front needs more physicality, more depth, and more bodies that can push the pocket. Burburija checks every box. He’s not some raw project either. He’s played tons of snaps at Iowa Western, and he looks ready to be in the mix right away. He’s the kind of plug-and-play piece that could be in the two-deep by fall camp.

For Burburija, it’s a smart flip. With all the uncertainty surrounding Washington State and the semi-Pac-12 rebuild, moving to a stable Big 12 program that plays solid defense makes a lot more sense. And despite the noise around the coaching staff at K-State, the culture is solid. The locker room’s strong. The structure’s in place. If anything, he’s stepping into a better situation.

No matter how the coaching transition shakes out, Kansas State just added a guy who can help in the trenches, and that’s always a win in the Big 12. If this is the start of the Klein era, he’s got a solid first add. And if Klieman sticks around a little longer, he’s still making moves like it’s business as usual.