#31 Jake Clifton — Stud linebacker Jake Clifton (31) has elected to take at least two years off from college football to go forth and preach the Book of Mormon, so his number has become available for incoming freshman walk-on safety Ben Wheeler instead. | Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the 31st day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State safety Ben Wheeler.

#31 Ben Wheeler

True Freshman | 6-0 | 173 lbs. | Olathe, Kansas

Position: Safety
Previous College: None
Projection: Redshirt
Status: Walk-On

Benjamin Wheeler (b. Aug. 30, 2005) is a walk-on safety from St. James Academy Catholic High School in Lenexa who likely will redshirt in 2024 and plans on majoring in kinesiology.

He prepped under head coach Tom Radke, helping the Thunder to earn state championships as both a sophomore and junior.

Wheeler primarily played offense in high school, throwing for 1,674 yards and 15 touchdowns, rushing for 449 yards and seven touchdowns, and hauling in nine passes for 130 yards and another two yards.

He also served as the team’s punter as a senior, averaging 36.8 yards on 30 punts en route to all-state honors from Sports in Kansas.

Wheeler prepped at the same high school as current K-State running back La’James White.

He also competed in track and field, setting school records for 100 meters and long jump.

Wheeler chose walking on at K-State as a safety (and originally as a quarterback) over scholarship offers from Army, Holy Cross and UTEP, as well as interest from South Carolina.

His primary recruiters were his position coach, linebackers coach Steve Stanard, and former wide receivers and then fullbacks/tight ends coach Jason Ray.

Wheeler’s father, Sean, and uncle, Mike, both were wide receivers at K-State in 1989, while his older brother, Sammy, was a tight end for the Wildcats from 2018 through 2022.

Their sisters Lauren (Wichita State) and Ellie (Bentley) both play college volleyball.