**Kansas State Picks Up Commitment from Sawyer Schilke**
Kansas State secured a commitment from Sawyer Schilke on Friday morning. Following a defensive commitment on Thursday, head coach Chris Klieman and defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman added Schilke, a standout from camp and former Northern Illinois commit, to their roster. Schilke chose the Wildcats over offers from Northern Illinois and North Dakota State after impressing at a camp on June 7th.
“It’s been a dream school of mine for the past year,” Schilke told 247Sports’ Allen Trieu. He also appreciated the short drive to his father in Kearney and mother in St. Louis. Schilke plans to play as a middle linebacker but is open to other positions if he grows.
Schilke, who received his offer immediately after the camp, praised the coaching staff, particularly Coach Stanard and area recruiter Coach Riley, in an interview with 247Sports. He noted that Stanard’s coaching style and Riley’s recruiting efforts, reminiscent of his father, influenced his decision.
Steve Stanard, the lead recruiter, envisions Schilke as a middle linebacker in Kansas State’s system. Schilke joins Weston Polk as the second linebacker commit and is the fourth defensive and seventh overall commit for the 2025 class, rated 83 by 247Sports.
Schilke appreciated Kansas State’s family atmosphere even before camping there. He highlighted the program’s closeness and his father’s favorable opinion of the school as significant factors in his decision. The proximity of Manhattan, Kansas, to his hometown of Kearney, Nebraska, also played a role.
Despite Stanard leading the recruitment, Conor Riley’s Nebraska ties helped secure Schilke, adding to Kansas State’s history of attracting underrated Nebraska prospects. At Kearney High School, Schilke demonstrated physicality and versatility, playing both inside and outside linebacker and contributing to an 8-2 season. His physical presence will be a valuable addition to Stanard’s linebacker unit.
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