The Kansas State Wildcats football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Kansas State Wildcats football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Wildcats represent Kansas State University in the NCAA's Big 12 Conference.
Although Kansas State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1896, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1949. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since 1949, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Wildcats have played in 12 bowl games since then, allowing players in those seasons to accumulate additional statistics. All of the Wildcats' ten highest seasons in total offensive yards have come since the year 1998.
These lists are updated through Week 4 of the 2026 season. Active players are listed in bold.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1Josh Freeman8,0782006 2007 20082Skylar Thompson7,1342017 2018 2019 2020 20213Avery Johnson6,4862023 2024 2025 20264Lynn Dickey6,2081968 1979 19705Jake Waters5,9702013 20146Will Howard 5,786 2020 2021 2022 20237Chad May5,2531993 19948Carl Straw5,2231987 1988 1989 19909Ell Roberson5,0992000 2001 2002 200310Collin Klein4,7242009 2010 2011 2012
+ Single season1Jake Waters3,50120142Josh Freeman3,35320073Josh Freeman2,94520084Michael Bishop2,84419985Avery Johnson2,71220246Chad May2,68219937Will Howard 2,643 20238Collin Klein2,64120129Jonathan Beasley2,636200010Chad May2,5711994
+ Single game1Chad May4891993Nebraska2Josh Freeman4782008Oklahoma3Michael Bishop4411998Louisiana-Monroe4Lynn Dickey4391969Colorado5Josh Freeman4042007Oklahoma State6Jake Waters4002014West Virginia7Lynn Dickey3941969Missouri8Lynn Dickey3841970Oklahoma9Lynn Dickey3801969Oklahoma10Chad May3791994Kansas
Passing touchdowns
+ Career1Avery Johnson552023 2024 2025 20262Will Howard 48 2020 2021 2022 20233Josh Freeman442006 2007 2008 4Skylar Thompson422017 2018 2019 2020 20215Jake Waters402013 20146Ell Roberson372000 2001 2002 20037Michael Bishop361997 19988Chad May341993 19949Jonathan Beasley331996 1997 1999 200010Collin Klein292009 2010 2011 2012 Lynn Dickey291968 1979 1970
+ Single season1Avery Johnson2520242Ell Roberson242003 Will Howard 24 20234Michael Bishop2319985Matt Miller221995Jake Waters2220147Brian Kavanagh201996Josh Freeman2020089Chad May181994Josh Freeman182007Jake Waters182013Avery Johnson18 2025
+ Single game1Paul Watson41988Louisiana TechChad May41994Iowa StateBrian Kavanagh41995Colorado StateHoliday BowlBrian Kavanagh41996RiceBrian Kavanagh41996OklahomaBrian Kavanagh41996KansasMichael Bishop41997Northern IllinoisMichael Bishop41997SyracuseFiesta BowlMichael Bishop41998Louisiana-MonroeJonathan Beasley41999Oklahoma StateEll Roberson42003Oklahoma StateEll Roberson42003OklahomaBig 12 Championship GameJosh Freeman42008Iowa StateJake Waters42014Texas TechJake Waters42014KansasWill Howard42022Oklahoma StateWill Howard42023Texas
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Darren Sproles4,9792001 2002 2003 20042Deuce Vaughn3,604 2020 2021 20223DJ Giddens3,087 2022 2023 20244John Hubert2,9932010 2011 2012 20135Daniel Thomas2,8502009 20106Ell Roberson2,8182000 2001 2002 20037Alex Barnes2,6162015 2016 2017 20188Eric Hickson2,5371994 1995 1997 19989Collin Klein2,4852009 2010 2011 201210Mike Lawrence2,2651994 1995 1996 1997
+ Single season1Darren Sproles1,98620032Daniel Thomas1,58520103Deuce Vaughn1,558 20224Darren Sproles1,46520025Deuce Vaughn1,40420216Alex Barnes1,35520187DJ Giddens1,34320248Darren Sproles1,31820049Daniel Thomas1,265200910Josh Scobey1,2632001
+ Single game1Joe Jackson2932025Utah2Darren Sproles2922004Louisiana-Lafayette3Darren Sproles2732003Missouri4Daniel Thomas2692010North Texas5Mike Lawrence2521996Iowa State6Alex Barnes2502018Baylor7Darren Sproles2352003Oklahoma8Daniel Thomas2342010UCLA9Ell Roberson2282002Nebraska10J.J. Smith2271994UNLV
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Collin Klein552009 2010 2011 20122Darren Sproles452001 2002 2003 20043Ell Roberson402000 2001 2002 20034Deuce Vaughn34 2020 2021 20225Josh Scobey312000 20016Daniel Thomas302009 20107John Hubert282010 2011 2012 20138Eric Hickson261994 1995 1997 1998Jonathan Beasley261996 1997 1999 2000Skylar Thompson262017 2018 2019 2020 2021
+ Single season1Collin Klein2720112Collin Klein2320123Mack Herron2019694Daniel Thomas1920105Deuce Vaughn1820216Jonathan Beasley172000Darren Sproles1720028Josh Scobey162000Ell Roberson162002Darren Sproles162003
+ Single game1Jonathan Beasley52000North TexasCollin Klein52011Texas A&MAvery Johnson52023Texas Tech4Pat Jackson41990New Mexico StateJosh Scobey42000Iowa StateJosh Scobey42001New Mexico StateAllen Webb42004NebraskaDaniel Thomas42009Texas A&MCollin Klein42011KansasJohn Hubert42012KansasCollin Klein42012West VirginiaJoe Hubener42015TCUWinston Dimel42016Florida AtlanticAlex Barnes42016BaylorAlex Barnes42018Oklahoma StateSkylar Thompson42019OklahomaAdrian Martinez42022OklahomaDJ Giddens42023UCF
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Tyler Lockett2492011 2012 2013 20142Kevin Lockett2171993 1994 1995 19963Jordy Nelson2062005 2006 20074Phillip Brooks182 2019 2020 2021 2022 20235Michael Smith1791988 1989 1990 19916Aaron Lockett1371998 1999 2000 20017Mitch Running1331992 1993 1994 19958Curry Sexton1292011 2012 2013 20149Dave Jones1271966 1967 1968Malik Knowles1272018 2019 2020 2021 2022
+ Single season1Jordy Nelson12220072Tyler Lockett10620143Tyler Lockett8120134Curry Sexton7920145Darnell McDonald7519986Kevin Lockett7219967Michael Smith7019898Greg Washington6919889Brandon Banks67200810Quincy Morgan642000James Terry642003
+ Single game1Jordy Nelson152007Missouri StateJordy Nelson152007Fresno State3Tyler Lockett142014Baylor4Michael Smith131989MissouriTyler Lockett132013TexasTyler Lockett132014UCLAAlamo Bowl7Mack Herron121969ColoradoMichael Smith121991WashingtonKevin Lockett121996OklahomaDarnell McDonald121998NebraskaTyler Lockett122013OklahomaTyler Lockett122014Texas TechJayce Brown122025North Dakota
Receiving yards
+ Career1Tyler Lockett3,7102011 2012 2013 20142Kevin Lockett3,0321993 1994 1995 19963Jordy Nelson2,8222005 2006 20074Michael Smith2,4571988 1989 1990 19915Aaron Lockett2,4001998 1999 2000 20016Quincy Morgan2,1732000 20017Phillip Brooks2,127 2019 2020 2021 2022 20238Jayce Brown1,972 2023 2024 20259Dave Jones1,9041966 1967 196810Malik Knowles1,8672018 2019 2020 2021 2022
+ Single season1Jordy Nelson1,60620072Tyler Lockett1,51520143Tyler Lockett1,26220134James Terry1,23220035Quincy Morgan1,16620006Darnell McDonald1,09219987Mark Porter1,05919878Brandon Banks1,04920089Quincy Morgan1,007199910Greg Washington9281988
+ Single game1Tyler Lockett2782013Oklahoma2Tyler Lockett2372013Texas3Jordy Nelson2142007Iowa State4Jordy Nelson2092007Missouri State5Darnell McDonald2061997Syracuse6Mark Porter1991986Nebraska7Tyler Lockett1962014TCUTyler Lockett1962014West Virginia9Tyler Lockett1942012West Virginia10Quincy Morgan1921999Kansas
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1Tyler Lockett292011 2012 2013 20142Kevin Lockett261993 1994 1995 19963Quincy Morgan231999 20004Jordy Nelson202005 2006 20075James Terry182002 20036Darnell McDonald151997 19987Aaron Lockett141998 1999 2000 2001Malik Knowles142018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Phillip Brooks14 2019 2020 2021 2022 202310Jayce Brown13 2023 2024 2025 Garrett Oakley13 2023 2024 2025
+ Single season1Quincy Morgan1420002Kevin Lockett131995James Terry1320034Jordy Nelson112007Tyler Lockett112013Tyler Lockett1120147Greg Washington91988Darnell McDonald91998Quincy Morgan91999Brandon Banks92008
+ Single game1John Williams31987Austin PeayMichael Smith31991Iowa StateJimmy Dean31996RiceDarnell McDonald31997SyracuseQuincy Morgan32000Ball StateJames Terry32003BaylorJordy Nelson32007Oklahoma StateTyler Lockett32013West VirginiaTyler Lockett32013OklahomaTyler Lockett32013MichiganBuffalo Wild Wings BowlByron Pringle32017@Oklahoma State
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1Josh Freeman8,421 2006 2007 20082Skylar Thompson8,221 2017 2018 2019 2020 20213Avery Johnson8,1552023 2024 2025 20264Ell Roberson7,917 2000 2001 2002 20035Collin Klein7,209 2009 2010 2011 20126Jake Waters6,766 2013 20147Will Howard6,707 2020 2021 2022 20238Lynn Dickey5,779 1968 1969 19709Michael Bishop5,715 1997 199810Jonathan Beasley5,607 1996 1997 1999 2000
+ Single season1Jake Waters3,985 20142Michael Bishop3,592 19983Collin Klein3,561 20124Ell Roberson3,520 20035Josh Freeman3,349 20086Avery Johnson3,317 20247Josh Freeman3,313 20078Jonathan Beasley3,135 20009Collin Klein3,059 201110Will Howard2,994 2023
+ Single game1Josh Freeman5012008 Oklahoma2Michael Bishop4751998 Louisiana-Monroe3Chad May4611993 Nebraska4Michael Bishop4461998 Nebraska5Michael Bishop4421998 Texas A&M6Avery Johnson4162025 Baylor7Jake Waters4132014 West Virginia8Lynn Dickey4111969 MissouriEll Roberson4032003 Nebraska10Josh Freeman4032007 Oklahoma State
Touchdowns responsible for "Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
+ Career1Collin Klein87 2009 2010 2011 20122Avery Johnson802023 2024 2025 20263Ell Roberson77 2000 2001 2002 20034Skylar Thompson68 2017 2018 2019 2020 20215Will Howard67 2020 2021 2022 20236Josh Freeman64 2006 2007 20087Jonathan Beasley59 1996 1997 1999 2000Michael Bishop59 1997 19989Jake Waters55 2013 201410Darren Sproles45 2001 2002 2003 2004
+ Single season1Collin Klein40 20112Ell Roberson39 2003Collin Klein39 20124Michael Bishop37 19985Jonathan Beasley34 2000Josh Freeman34 20087Will Howard33 20238Avery Johnson32 20249Jake Waters31 201410Matt Miller30 1995
+ Single game1Collin Klein72012 West Virginia2Jonathan Beasley61999 OklahomaCollin Klein62011 Texas A&M
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Jaime Mendez151990 1991 1992 19932Chris Canty141994 1995 19963Dyshod Carter131997 1998 1999 2000Ty Zimmerman132010 2011 2012 20135Clarence Scott121968 1969 1970Nigel Malone122011 20127Marcus Miller111986 1987 1988 19898Gary Morrill101979 1980 1981 1982C.J. Masters101989 1990 1991 1992Jermetrius Butler101998 1999 2000Terence Newman101999 2000 2001 2002Tysyn Hartman102009 2010 2011
+ Single season1Chris Canty819952C.J. Masters71992Nigel Malone720114Lyle Koontz61949Hi Faubion61951Barton Hundley61985Jaime Mendez61990Jaime Mendez61992Jerametrius Butler62000Bobby Walker62002James McGill62003
+ Single game1Jaime Mendez41992Temple2Lyle Koontz31949Oklahoma StateRobert Easterwood31986Western IllinoisC.J. Masters31992Iowa StateChris Canty31995AkronAllen Chapman32012Oklahoma State
Tackles
+ Career1Gary Spani5431974 1975 1976 19772Brooks Barta4361989 1990 1991 19923Mark Simoneau4001996 1997 1998 19994Josh Buhl3982000 2001 2002 20035Theopilis Bryant3811973 1974 1975 19766Danny Lankas3631965 1966 19677Dan Ruzich3591979 1980 1981 19828Carl Pennington3401973 1974 1975 19769Matt Wallerstedt3381984 1985 1986 198710Barton Hundley3141981 1982 1984 1985
+ Single season1Josh Buhl18420032Danny Lankas1781967Gary Spani17819774Danny Lankas17519665Matt Wallerstedt16519876Gary Spani15319757Gary Spani15119768Dan Ruzich15019829William Fisher1421978Brooks Barta1421992