Kansas State projected starting lineup and depth chart for Rate Bowl | 2024-25 College football season

The Rate Bowl features the Rutgers Scarlet Knights facing the Kansas State Wildcats on Thursday at 5:30 PM ET. This showdown takes place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN. Kansas State is favored by 7 points, and the game has an over/under of 51.5.

Unlike Rutgers, Kansas State comes into this game on a losing momentum, having lost three of its final four games. The Wildcats will be without their running back DJ Giddens, who rushed for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns. Giddens has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Let's take a look at Kansas State's projected starting lineup and depth chart for Rate Bowl.

Kansas State projected starting lineup and depth chart for Rate Bowl

Offensive Positions

WR-X (Wide Receiver X):

Starter: Keagan Johnson (Questionable)

• 2nd: Jadon Jackson
• 3rd: Ty Bowman

WR-Z (Wide Receiver Z):

Starter: Dante Cephas

• 2nd: Tre Spivey (Doubtful)

WR-SL (Slot Receiver):

Starter: Jayce Brown

• 2nd: Sterling Lockett

LT (Left Tackle):

Starter: Easton Kilty

• 2nd: John Pastore

LG (Left Guard):

Starter: Hadley Panzer

• 2nd: Andrew Leingang

C (Center):

Starter: Sam Hecht

• 2nd: Michael Capria

RG (Right Guard):

Starter: Taylor Poitier

• 2nd: Alex Key

RT (Right Tackle):

Starter: Drake Bequeaith

• 2nd: Carver Willis (Out)

TE (Tight End):

Starter: Garrett Oakley

• 2nd: Will Swanson
• 3rd: Brayden Loftin
• 4th: Will Anciaux
• 5th: Andrew Metzger

QB (Quarterback):

Starter: Avery Johnson

• 2nd: Ta'Quan Roberson
• 3rd: Jacob Knuth

RB (Running Back):

Starter: DJ Giddens (Doubtful)

• 2nd: Dylan Edwards
• 3rd: Joe Jackson
• 4th: La'James White

Defensive Positions

LDE (Left Defensive End):

Starter: Cody Stufflebean

• 2nd: Jordan Allen

NT (Nose Tackle):

Starter: Damian Ilalio

• 2nd: Uso Seumalo
• 3rd: Asher Tomaszewski

DT (Defensive Tackle):

Starter: Travis Bates

• 2nd: Chiddi Obiazor

RDE (Right Defensive End):

Starter: Brendan Mott

• 2nd: Tobi Osunsanmi
• 3rd: Ryan Davis

WLB (Weak-Side Linebacker):

Starter: Austin Moore

• 2nd: Rex Van Wyhe
• 3rd: Zach Wittenberg

MLB (Middle Linebacker):

Starter: Austin Romaine

• 2nd: Beau Palmer
• 3rd: Terry Kirksey Jr.

SLB (Strong-Side Linebacker):

Starter: Desmond Purnell

• 2nd: Asa Newsom

LCB (Left Cornerback):

Starter: Jacob Parrish

• 2nd: Justice James

SS (Strong Safety):

Starter: VJ Payne

• 2nd: Colby McCalister
• 3rd: Wesley Fair

JS (Jack Safety):

Starter: Jordan Riley

• 2nd: Jack Fabris

FS (Free Safety):

Starter: Marques Sigle

• 2nd: Nickendre Stiger
• 3rd: Daniel Cobbs

RCB (Right Cornerback):

Starter: Keenan Garber

• 2nd: Jordan Dunbar
• 3rd: Donovan McIntosh

Special Teams

PT (Punter):

Starter: Simon McClannan

• 2nd: Teagan Cobb

PK (Placekicker):

Starter: Chris Tennant

• 2nd: Leyton Simmering

KO (Kickoff Specialist):

Starter: Chris Tennant

• 2nd: Simon McClannan

LS (Long Snapper):

Starter: Mason Olguin

• 2nd: Keane Bessert

H (Holder):

Starter: Simon McClannan

• 2nd: Teagan Cobb

PR (Punt Returner):

Starter: Dylan Edwards

• 2nd: Sterling Lockett
• 3rd: Jacob Parrish

KR (Kick Returner):

Starter: Jayce Brown

• 2nd: Dylan Edwards
• 3rd: Keagan Johnson (Questionable)

Injuries:

• Keagan Johnson (WR): Questionable
• Tre Spivey (WR): Doubtful
• Carver Willis (RT): Out
• DJ Giddens (RB): Doubtful