Three K-State football players enter transfer portal as Wildcats return to campus

The Kansas State football team returned to campus for the start of spring classes this week without three players that worked behind the scenes to help the Wildcats have a memorable season in 2022.

Brenen Hawkins, Ozzie Hoffler and Kingsley Ugwu are all looking for new college football homes.

Each of them decided to enter the NCAA transfer portal this week before the January transfer window came to a close.

Hawkins is a 6-foot-3 redshirt-freshman receiver from Colleyville, Texas, who did not record any stats with the K-State offense this past season. The former three-star recruit will likely look for more playing opportunities elsewhere.

Hoffler is a 6-foot-2 redshirt freshman from Atlanta who did not see action as a defensive end this past season.

Ugwu is a 6-foot-4 junior college transfer from Hutchinson. Some expected him to play a meaningful role on K-State’s offensive line after sitting out 2021 with a redshirt. But playing time was hard to come by with Christian Duffie and KT Leveston locking down starting jobs at both tackle spots. With all five of K-State’s starters returning in 2023, it makes sense that Ugwu will now explore his options at other schools.

Losing three transfers in late January could turn out to be a blessing for K-State coaches as they look to remain under the NCAA scholarship limit of 85 heading into next season.

With eight seniors opting to return for an extra year of college football and the addition of four incoming transfers at important positions, the Wildcats needed to create roster space for them.

In all, the Wildcats have lost 10 players to the transfer portal this cycle.