Joe Klanderman adjusting defensive personnel ahead of Ireland trip

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Ireland’s Aer Lingus Classic between Kansas State and Iowa State is nine days away, and there’ll be plenty on the line for both teams to start the 2025 season.

After all, the game is a top-25 matchup in week zero, a pivotal Big 12 battle, and will air live on national television, so the Wildcats’ Defensive Coordinator understands what’s at stake. Joe Klanderman welcomes the world-wide exposure, and knows what it can do for both programs and the conference as a whole. Which is why he doesn’t want to disappoint when all eyes are going to be on his defense.

The No. 17 Wildcats are wrapping up fall camp this week, and will shift their focus to game preparation, which includes travel. Everyone has to make adjustments through this grueling process too. Klanderman is making sure that his players are knowledgeable, up to speed and know what to expect leading up to kickoff in a total different time zone.

“You look at this Ireland trip, and you knew the schedule was going to be a little bit different,” Klanderman said. “Spring went by in a blur, summer went by in a blur and as a football coach, June doesn’t even exist to you anymore.”

Practice continues to be intense for every position group, and Klanderman remains confident in his starters, considering there’s an All-Big 12 caliber player at every level of the defense. Cody Stufflebean is the playmaker on the defensive line, Desmond Purnell is the enforcer of the linebackers and VJ Payne is the general of the secondary. They all view themselves as leaders, and embrace what comes with the territory.

Klanderman is enjoying the good vibes in camp, and with the way the pads are popping, it appears that the Wildcats are eager for their August 23rd clash against the No. 23 Cyclones. Finding quality backups is still a priority for Klanderman, and establishing depth is always a concern. So he’s making sure the youngsters are getting plenty of reps, and feels the defensive backs are making tremendous strides.

“I think a lot of groups have made a great leap,” he said. “Probably the group that has impressed me the most with the progress they’ve made since the spring are the corners.”

That’s saying a lot for a group after losing a corner and a safety to the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Jayden Rowe is one of the corners who’s raising Klanderman’s eyebrows with his physicality, size and speed. Klanderman plans on utilizing Rowe’s talents and can’t wait to unleash him this fall.

The main goal is for the entire defense to be on the same page, including communication, terminology and body schedules. More leaders are emerging from the shadows, competition is fierce and they’re all having fun, which Klanderman finds encouraging.

“These guys care, they’re about it, and they hold each other accountable to that, which is the coolest thing,” the sixth-year Defensive Coordinator said. “It’s not me pushing the buttons.”

Kansas State has lost two-straight to Iowa State, and that streak has to come to an end in Dublin. Winning the opener will generate a ton of momentum for the rest of the season in Klanderman’s mind, but the caliber of opponent, and the pressure of playing in week zero means there’ll be a slim margin for error. Still, the defense is looking promising up to this point, and Klanderman is in awe of how everything is starting to gel together in a short amount of time.

“It’s flown by really quick, but I feel good about where our guys are at.”