Kansas State football has spent the offseason answering questions about a new coaching era, an overhauled offense and a roster that needs to prove it can compete at the top of the Big 12 again.
But as the Wildcats get closer to their Sept. 5 opener against Nicholls, one position group is beginning to look like a potential difference-maker.
The running backs.
Kansas State offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson believes the Wildcats have a combination of talent, physicality and versatility in the backfield that could give the offense a much higher ceiling than many people realize. That confidence is important because K-State enters the season with several questions surrounding the offensive line.
The Wildcats recently lost preseason All-Big 12 offensive lineman John Pastore to a torn Achilles, a season-ending injury that removed one of the team’s most experienced players from a group already facing questions about continuity. That development could force Kansas State to find creative ways to protect quarterback Avery Johnson. And that is where the running backs could become much more important than simply carrying the football.
K-State Has Three Very Different Weapons
The Wildcats have three running backs who bring distinctly different qualities to the offense.
Joe Jackson is the experienced option.
Rodney Fields Jr. brings explosive-play ability.
And Jay Harris gives Kansas State a physical presence capable of making defenders pay for every tackle.
Gleeson has praised the differences between the three players, describing Jackson as a veteran who understands the offense and pass protection, Harris as an extremely physical runner and Fields as the type of player who can produce explosive plays whenever he gets the ball.
That combination could make Kansas State’s backfield one of the most intriguing position groups on the roster.
Rather than relying on one player for nearly everything, the Wildcats can potentially use different backs for different situations.
That could make the offense harder to predict.
Joe Jackson Is the Player Everything Starts With
Jackson enters the season with a strong argument to be Kansas State’s lead running back. He finished the 2025 season with 911 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. But the most encouraging part of his season came at the end.
Jackson exploded for 435 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the final two games against Utah and Colorado, demonstrating just how dangerous he can become when he finds his rhythm.
That late-season production gives Kansas State plenty of reason to believe Jackson can handle a significant workload. He is not simply a player who can run between the tackles. His understanding of the offense also gives him value in situations where the coaching staff needs reliability.
That includes pass protection.
And with the offensive line undergoing significant changes, that could become one of the most important aspects of his game.
Pass Protection Could Be the Hidden Story
Most fans naturally focus on rushing yards. They look at touchdowns. They look at explosive plays.
But Kansas State’s running backs could have another job that becomes equally important this season.
Protect Avery Johnson.
The Wildcats are entering the season with an inexperienced offensive line, and the loss of Pastore makes that challenge even greater.
If opposing defenses recognize that K-State’s offensive front is vulnerable, they are likely to attack it.
That could mean more blitzes.
More pressure packages.
More defenders around the line of scrimmage.
And more attempts to disrupt Johnson before he can get comfortable.
The running backs will therefore have to do more than simply carry the ball.
They may have to stay in the backfield and pick up blitzers.
They may have to chip edge rushers.
They may have to sacrifice potential receiving opportunities to keep Johnson upright.
Gleeson specifically highlighted the importance of pass blocking for the running backs because of the situation along the offensive line.
That could quietly determine how successful the offense becomes.
Avery Johnson Could Benefit the Most
No Kansas State offensive discussion can go very far without mentioning Johnson.
The senior quarterback enters the season with enormous expectations, particularly because he is now working under first-year head coach Collin Klein.
Klein understands the quarterback position better than most coaches because he was once the face of Kansas State’s offense himself.
That connection could be valuable for Johnson.
But even the most talented quarterback needs help.
If Kansas State can establish a reliable running game, Johnson’s job becomes significantly easier.
Defenses will have to respect the handoff.
Linebackers will hesitate.
Safeties may move closer to the box.
And that could open opportunities for Johnson to make plays through the air or with his legs.
The Wildcats therefore have a chance to build an offense where the running game and quarterback complement one another instead of operating independently.
Rodney Fields Jr. Brings the Explosive Element
Fields could be the player who changes the way defenses approach Kansas State.
The Oklahoma State transfer finished his previous season with 614 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Those numbers do not necessarily jump off the page.
But Gleeson’s description of Fields is what catches attention.
The offensive coordinator characterized him as “lightning in a bottle” at times, suggesting that Fields possesses the type of burst that can turn an ordinary play into a huge gain.
That is valuable.
Every offense needs a player capable of creating something from nothing.
A five-yard run is useful.
A five-yard run that suddenly becomes a 45-yard touchdown is transformative.
Fields gives K-State another player capable of providing that kind of explosion.
Jay Harris Could Bring the Power
Harris offers something different.
The Oregon transfer did not receive a massive workload during his previous season, rushing for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
But Kansas State clearly sees something in him.
Gleeson has repeatedly emphasized Harris’ physicality and effort.
That type of runner can become particularly useful late in games.
When defenses are tired, a powerful back can punish missed tackles.
When Kansas State needs a short-yardage conversion, Harris can potentially provide the necessary physicality.
And when the Wildcats want to wear down an opponent, a back who enjoys contact can become extremely valuable.
That gives Kansas State three backs who do not necessarily need to compete for exactly the same role.
They can complement each other.
That Versatility Could Be K-State’s Secret Weapon
This is perhaps the most exciting part of Kansas State’s running back situation.
The Wildcats do not simply have three talented players.
They have three players with different strengths.
Jackson provides experience and consistency.
Harris brings physicality.
Fields offers explosiveness.
That creates possibilities for Gleeson.
He can change the back depending on the situation.
He can use Jackson when the offense needs reliability.
He can bring in Harris when the Wildcats want to establish physical dominance.
He can turn to Fields when they want to create an explosive play.
And there is nothing stopping Kansas State from using multiple backs in the same game.
That uncertainty could make defensive game planning more difficult.
K-State May Need This More Than Expected
The running back depth becomes even more important when the offensive line situation is considered.
Kansas State is replacing four starters along the offensive line, according to preseason analysis, and now has to do so without Pastore.
That is a lot of change for one position group.
The Wildcats therefore cannot assume that the offensive line will immediately perform at a high level.
It may take several games.
The players may need time to develop chemistry.
Communication could improve gradually.
The coaching staff may have to experiment with different combinations.
And while that process is happening, the running backs can help stabilize the offense.
A strong backfield can make an inexperienced offensive line look better.
The Running Game Can Protect Johnson
One of the easiest ways to help a quarterback is to establish the running game.
If Kansas State can consistently gain four or five yards on early downs, Johnson will have more manageable situations.
Second-and-medium is easier than second-and-long.
Third-and-short is easier than third-and-10.
And an offense that stays ahead of the chains can control tempo.
That could be particularly important for Johnson.
The Wildcats do not need to ask him to win every game by throwing 40 passes.
They can create a balanced attack.
Run the football.
Use Johnson’s mobility.
Take selective shots downfield.
And force defenses to defend the entire field.
Collin Klein’s Offensive Philosophy Will Be Closely Watched
The transition to Klein as head coach adds another fascinating layer.
Klein knows what Kansas State football is supposed to look like.
He understands the program’s history.
He understands the importance of physicality.
And now he gets to establish his own version of that identity.
The offense will therefore be one of the biggest storylines throughout the season.
Will K-State play faster?
Will Johnson have more freedom?
Will the Wildcats lean heavily on the running game?
Will the three-back rotation become a weekly feature?
Those questions will begin receiving answers when Kansas State finally takes the field.
The Nicholls Opener Could Reveal a Lot
Kansas State’s first game is against Nicholls on Sept. 5 at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.
The matchup gives the Wildcats an opportunity to begin the season without immediately facing one of the Big 12’s toughest opponents.
That could be useful.
The coaching staff will have a chance to evaluate the new offensive line.
Johnson can settle into the new system.
The receivers can establish chemistry.
And the running backs can show how the rotation will work.
A strong opening performance could give the entire offense confidence before the schedule becomes more demanding.
K-State Cannot Ignore the Big 12 Competition
The Wildcats also know that the real test will come once conference play begins.
The Big 12 remains highly competitive, and Kansas State will have to deal with teams capable of putting significant pressure on the quarterback.
That makes offensive balance essential.
The Wildcats cannot afford to become predictable.
If they throw too often, defenses can attack the inexperienced offensive line.
If they run too frequently without success, opponents can crowd the line of scrimmage.
The ideal scenario is an offense capable of doing both.
And the running back room gives Kansas State a legitimate chance to achieve that balance.
The Backfield Could Also Help the Defense
There is another benefit that often gets overlooked.
A productive running game can help the defense.
If Kansas State controls the clock, the defense spends less time on the field.
Long drives can wear opponents down.
Touchdown drives can create momentum.
And a team that consistently runs the football can make games more physical.
That style fits the identity Kansas State has traditionally embraced.
If the Wildcats can return to controlling games on the ground, they could become much more difficult to beat.
The Biggest Question Is Not Talent
There appears to be plenty of talent in the running back room.
The bigger question is how effectively Kansas State uses it.
Can Gleeson create enough touches for three players?
Can the Wildcats keep everyone involved?
Can the backs contribute in the passing game?
Can they protect Johnson?
Can they stay healthy?
And can the offensive line give them enough room to operate?
Those answers will determine whether the position group becomes a genuine strength or simply a collection of talented individuals.
Injuries Have Already Changed the Equation
Kansas State’s preseason has already demonstrated how quickly roster plans can change.
The loss of Pastore was a significant blow because he was expected to provide leadership and experience to a developing offensive line.
Now other players have to step forward.
That makes the running backs even more important.
A veteran like Jackson can help settle the offense.
A physical player like Harris can provide toughness.
And a speedster like Fields can create explosive plays when the offense needs them.
The trio gives K-State multiple ways to respond to adversity.
This Could Be the Year the Running Game Takes Over
There is a realistic scenario in which Kansas State becomes one of the Big 12’s most dangerous rushing teams.
Jackson already has proven production.
Fields brings transfer experience and explosiveness.
Harris brings a different physical dimension.
And Johnson himself is a major threat with the football.
That creates a nightmare for defensive coordinators.
Who do you focus on?
If you load the box, Johnson can potentially attack through the air.
If you spread the defense out, K-State can run the football.
If you pressure the quarterback, the backs can stay home and help protect him.
That is the type of flexibility that can make an offense dangerous.
The First Few Games Will Be Crucial
The Wildcats do not need everything to be perfect immediately.
But they need improvement.
The offensive line needs to develop.
The running backs need to establish their roles.
Johnson needs to become comfortable under Klein.
The receivers need to make plays.
And the coaching staff needs to determine what combinations work best.
By the time Big 12 play begins, Kansas State should have a much clearer picture of its identity.
If the running game is already clicking, that could be a major advantage.
K-State Fans Have a Reason to Be Excited
There is no shortage of questions surrounding Kansas State entering the 2026 season.
A new head coach.
A new offensive coordinator.
A reshaped offensive line.
A quarterback facing enormous expectations.
And a Big 12 schedule that will test the Wildcats repeatedly.
But the running back room may be the position that gives fans the most optimism.
Three players.
Three different skill sets.
One potentially dangerous rotation.
And an offensive coordinator who clearly believes the group has a high ceiling.
That is an encouraging combination.
The Real Test Is Coming Soon
Kansas State does not play today, but the wait is almost over.
The Wildcats open against Nicholls on Sept. 5, giving fans their first opportunity to see what the Collin Klein era looks like when the games count.
By then, all the preseason talk will be replaced by actual football.
The offensive line will have to prove it can survive without Pastore.
Johnson will have to show that he can lead the new system.
And the running backs will have the opportunity to demonstrate whether their versatility can become one of K-State’s biggest advantages.
If Jackson, Harris and Fields can all contribute, Kansas State may have discovered something special in its backfield.
And if the offensive line improves faster than expected, the Wildcats could have an offense capable of surprising people across the Big 12.
For now, though, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:
Kansas State may not have to rely on one running back to carry its offense.
Instead, the Wildcats have the luxury of choosing from three very different weapons.
And with an inexperienced offensive line placing additional pressure on the offense, that versatility could turn out to be one of the most important advantages K-State has all season.
The biggest surprise in Manhattan may not be a new star.
It may be how dangerous this entire running back room becomes.
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