Kansas State Scores Big With 2026 EDGE Tucker Ashford

Ashford’s recruitment, which opened last June during a Manhattan camp, evolved into one of K‑State’s top defensive priorities. Edge coach Buddy Wyatt and Klieman traveled multiple times to Fort Worth, and Ashford’s official visit on May 29, complete with a Chipotle welcome sign, sealed the deal. His attraction to the Wildcats extended beyond football, too; he was a key leg on the Fort Worth Christian 4×100 relay squad.

Rated among the top EDGE prospects in the 2026 class, Ashford ranked No. 42 at his position nationally and No. 61 in Texas per 247Sports composite rankings. His versatility, with 24 tackles, four sacks and even five defensive touchdowns last season, gives the Wildcats flexibility to deploy him as a traditional edge or drop him into space.

Ashford becomes K‑State’s 17th commit in the 2026 class and the seventh from Texas, marking the Wildcats’ first EDGE commitment of the cycle. Coming off several near-misses with other elite in-state targets, this is a crucial momentum builder for the recruiting staff.

For Klieman’s defense, this pledge fills a key need. With veteran playmakers like Austin Romaine and V.J. Payne likely departing for the NFL in the near future, adding youth and depth at EDGE positions shapes up as a strategic advantage going forward.

Ashford’s commitment arrives amid a rejuvenated Wildcats squad riding national attention. K‑State was ranked No. 12 in USA Today’s preseason Top 25, No. 16 in Joel Klatt’s post‑spring rankings, and is the highest-rated Big 12 school in ESPN’s Football Power Index.

The pledge also gives K‑State new leverage in Texas pipelines, signaling that Klieman’s program can successfully compete in recruiting battles against power conference foes. If the Wildcats continue to capitalize and perhaps land more four-star prospects, the 2026 cycle could gain depth and long-term roster impact.

As K‑State turns its attention back to the field for 2025, securing a dominant four-star edge rusher like Ashford is more than a recruiting win. It sends a message: the Wildcats are building sustained defensive intensity and depth as the program eyes higher stakes in the coming seasons.