#42 Randen Plattner — Gone now is everyone’s favorite long snapper/comedian, super senior Randen Plattner (42). His number will be inherited by tight end Justin Wolf, a spring transfer from Wagner. | Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

In which BracketCat counts down the 42nd day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State tight end Justin Wolf.

#42 Justin Wolf

Redshirt Senior | 6-4 | 252 lbs. | Breezy Point, New York

Position: Tight End
Previous College: Wagner College
Projection: Special Teams
Status: Preferred Walk-On

Justin Wolf (b. March 12, 2002) is an experienced blocking tight end who transferred from Wagner and has one more year of eligibility left, plus a possible medical hardship year.

He is majoring in sociology and is now pursuing his master’s degree as a graduate transfer.

Wolf prepped under head coach Mike Jioia at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, New York, where he carded 36 receptions for 377 yards and two touchdowns during his junior and senior seasons, earning first-team all-conference honors as a senior.

He also played defensive end for the Clippers, recording 14 tackles.

Wolf earned an FCS scholarship yet did not see any game action in the spring season of 2021 at Wagner, but he appeared in seven games in the fall season of 2021 as a backup tight end and on special teams, tallying four special teams tackles.

He then played in seven games in 2022, with two starts, as he battled injuries throughout the year, making three catches for 12 yards, including a career-high two receptions against Long Island.

Wolf saw time in five games last season, with two starts, before an injury again cut his season short.

He hauled in four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, logging that 10-yard touchdown reception at Sacred Heart, while he had a career-long reception of 19 yards at Fordham.

In all, Wolf played in 20 games with four starts over his last three seasons at Wagner.

He chose to transfer to K-State as a preferred walk-on over similar competing interest from Alabama, Arkansas, California, Central Michigan, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Syracuse, Temple, Texas A&M, Tulane, UCLA and West Virginia.

Wolf said he picked the Wildcats because he wanted a chance to play at the Power 4 level:

I knew I wanted to go up a level. My childhood dreams were to play high-level football and I’d do anything to do that and get to that. I knew I just needed one opportunity, one spot, one day to show my ability and what I can do. I knew what I wanted to do and if it meant to be a (preferred walk-on) then I wouldn’t mind.

I chose Kansas State over any other school because I didn’t get the same treatment. One of the biggest aspects I look for is a connection with the coaches. I felt a very strong connection with the coaches at Kansas State and I felt like they needed me instead of wanting me.