Joe Klanderman had much to celebrate after the NFL Draft.
The Kansas State defensive coordinator saw two more of his players get selected by professional teams (Jacob Parrish in Round 3 and Marques Sigle in Round 5). Over the past four years, the Wildcats have produced five draft picks strictly from their secondary.
Klanderman is proud that so many former cornerbacks and safeties like Russ Yeast, Julius Brents, Josh Hayes, Sigle and Parrish have all played well enough at K-State to make it in the NFL. But here’s what makes their accomplishment even more meaningful: The Wildcats are far from finished.
In fact, senior safety VJ Payne may become the earliest draft pick of the Chris Klieman era.
“He’s as promising of a prospect as anybody that we’ve had here,” Klanderman said. “And that’s saying something when you think of the lineage going back to AJ Parker to Russ Yeast to Josh Hayes to Marques Sigle, Jacob Parrish and Julius Brents. We’ve had a number of guys in our secondary that have been able to (make it in the NFL).”
What sets Payne apart?
Start with speed. Payne proved he was the fastest player on the K-State football roster when he topped 23 mph during spring practice.
But he also has experience. The All-Big 12 honorable mention defender has played in 39 consecutive games (and started the last 29) for the Wildcats. Many K-State freshmen need time to develop before they become steady contributors in Manhattan. But Payne has been a making an impact since the day he arrived on campus.
Last season, he piled up 64 tackles, forced two fumbles and grabbed a pair of interceptions.
This season, he wants to be the quarterback of K-State’s defense. He is willing to do anything, even change positions.
I’m ready for whatever,” Payne said, “if I have to move to corner, because I know my speed is there and my agility is there. I don’t mind playing some press. If that’s what I have got to do, that’s what I am going to do.”
Tempting as may be to utilize Payne’s speed in other positions, Klanderman seems content to leave him at safety.
His speed and football IQ could help him grab several interceptions next season. From there, who knows. Maybe Payne can be a first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Anything feels possible for a talent like Payne as the Wildcats look to keep sending defensive backs to the next level.
The great thing about VJ is that he was by no means a finished product when he got here,” Klanderman said. “He was skinny, but he had such good self awareness. He knew what he needed to work on. He still does. I just got done meeting with him and his big charge to me was, ‘Hey, don’t let me get complacent.’ I think that shows a lot of maturity. I think that shows a lot of growth.
“I’ve been around guys that got some accolades and the more the buzz got around them the more they started to believe the buzz and the less they focused on their daily process. I don’t think that’s going to happen with him.”