Beating rival Kansas may not have made the difference, but it didn't hurt Kansas State football in landing two recruits for the 2025 and 2026 cycles.

Brandon Ford, a 6-foot defensive back from Crowley, Texas, became K-State’s first pledge for 2026 when he committed to the Wildcats on Monday. He has a three-star rating and holds scholarship offers from many notable football teams. The list includes Arizona, Arizona State, Houston, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, SMU, Texas Tech and Washington State.

Kansas State football moves up one spot to No. 15 in the Coaches Poll and drops one place to No. 17 in The Associated Press rankings.

It is Sunflower Showdown week, which means it is a loaded weekend for Kansas State football recruiting visitors. Being a 7:00 p.m. CST kick along with the rivalry has helped spark a star-studded weekend in Manhattan.

Another running back, Sevion Morrison, scored KU’s first points before the game went haywire. The Jayhawks dropped an open touchdown pass, then watched as K-State woke up and scored 16 unanswered points — two touchdowns and a safety after the Jayhawks fielded a kickoff at the 1-yard line and stepped out of bounds.

Kansan sports staff members and special guest picker Maddie Hartley of the Kansas City Star make their predictions for the Sunflower Showdown.