#26 Jarell Childs — For some reason, former JUCO linebacker Rex Van Wyhe makes me think of former running back-turned-starting linebacker Jarell Childs (26), which is weird because they don’t really have the same body type or even play the same LB position. | Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 28th day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State linebacker Rex Van Wyhe.

#28 Rex Van Wyhe

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-5 | 239 lbs. | Rock Rapids, Iowa

Position: Linebacker
Previous College: Iowa Central Community College
Projection: Third-String
Status: On Scholarship

Rex Van Wyhe (b. Feb. 20, 2004) is a speedy linebacker from Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa, who is majoring in construction science and management.

Van Wyhe, who excels equally at tackling and zone coverage, saw time in four games in 2023 as he retained his redshirt, leaving him with three remaining years of eligibility.

He carded four tackles on the year, including a season-high three against Baylor, a game that included a tackle for loss; had one stop and a pass breakup against TCU; and also played at Kansas and in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against NC State.

While Van Wyhe projects as a weakside or middle linebacker but seems unlikely to beat out Alex Marenco, Austin Moore and/or Austin Romaine for a spot in the two-deep this season, I think he still could he could see extensive playing time as a reserve and on special teams.

Van Wyhe played one season under head coach Jesse Montalto at Iowa Central, where he was rated the 11th-best overall community college prospect in the Class of 2023 by Rivals, while he ranked No. 2 among community college linebackers by ESPN.

He picked up NJCAA second-team All-American, first team all-conference, and all-region honors in 2022 as he totaled 79 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a recovery and two pass breakups over 11 games played for the Tritons.

In Kansas NJCAA action, Van Wyhe had a season-high 13 stops at Garden City, while he had 10 tackles at Butler and carded a pair of sacks at Ellsworth, which included two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also had a sack and a forced fumble at Highland.

A three-year letter-winner under head coach Curtis Eben at Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Van Wyhe also was a two-time all-district pick who earned second-team all-state honors as a senior after totaling 65 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks and a pair of interceptions. He helped the Lions to earn a state runner-up finish in 2020.

An academic all-state performer, Van Wyhe also competed in baseball, track and field, and basketball, helping his basketball team to earn a state runner-up finish in 2021-2022.

Van Wyhe chose K-State over scholarship offers from Iowa State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, Old Dominion, Southeast Missouri State and UTSA.

His brother, Riley, played football at Northern Iowa and is currently a coach for the Panthers.

“I just want to try to get on the field and do whatever my teammates and coaches ask of me,” Van Wyhe told EMAW Online. “The coaches are awesome and I love the atmosphere and Midwest feel of K-State. It was electric seeing all the people there before the game and then seeing them pack in the stadium.”

For more analysis of how he might fit into the linebacker picture this year, read this article.