Kansas State · Big 12Kansas State Gets Elijah Hill Back With Its Run Defense Under Pressure
Elijah Hill missed part of spring practice but has worked through fall camp healthy, according to defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson. His power against pullers and tight ends could earn early-down snaps, while Kansas State decides whether he can also stay on the field when opponents throw.
AUG 22, 2026
Weeks until Kansas State opens its season.
Tackles for loss Wendell Gregory recorded in 2025.
Sacks Gregory recorded during his 2025 season.
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Kansas State defensive coordinator Jordan Peterson said Elijah Hill has been healthy throughout fall camp after missing several spring practices. Peterson praised Hill’s physical play and said, “He’s got really heavy hands.” He added that Hill can spill pullers and slice tight ends, then described the defensive end’s role as still undecided in terms of both size and situation. Hill is one of Kansas State’s most coveted additions behind edge rusher Wendell Gregory. Gregory won the 2025 Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year award after recording 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Kansas State opens its season in two weeks. The staff has a short stretch to decide where Hill fits beside Gregory, Tobi Osunsanmi and Ryan Davis.
02 · The StakesWhy This One Matters
Kansas State’s defense gave up too many big rushing plays last season. That puts Hill’s block work ahead of his sack total for now. When a tight end attaches or a guard pulls, Hill has to take the contact, keep the run from turning the corner and leave the tackle for somebody else. Peterson’s description points to a player built for those snaps. Gregory already gives the Wildcats a young edge threat, while Osunsanmi and Davis are established names in the room. Kansas State has also produced three of the last five Big 12 Defensive Linemen of the Year winners from its defensive ends. Hill doesn’t need to carry that standard alone. He does need to make the front harder to run at.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The overlooked detail is the split between Hill’s run-defense value and his pass-rush value. Peterson praised the traits that matter when an offense brings a puller or tight end toward him. He did not say Hill has claimed a full-time job in every package. That leaves Kansas State with a specific test. Can Hill handle the heavy early-down work and still give the defense a reason to keep him on the field when the formation spreads out? If the answer is yes, Gregory can attack more often without taking every difficult edge snap. If not, Hill’s first job may stay narrow.
“Watch who lines up next to Gregory on third down.”
The Wire Desk04 · The PersonnelWhat Hill Could Change
Hill’s first path to playing time should come on early downs, where his strength can be used against pullers and attached tight ends. That’s a projection, not a depth-chart announcement. A second path would be pass-rush work, where his explosion has to show up against offensive tackles in space. Gregory’s 2025 production gives Kansas State a known threat on one edge. Hill could allow the staff to keep Gregory fresh, or the Wildcats could move Gregory into a wider alignment while Hill handles the heavier block. Osunsanmi and Davis remain part of that decision. The first few games should show whether Hill is starting, rotating or entering for a defined package. His place beside Gregory will tell Kansas State how much trust he has earned.
05 · The ChessboardWhat the Coaches Can Actually Change
Kansas State could put Hill on the tight-end side in its base front and ask him to spill a pulling blocker outside. That sends the run back toward the linebackers instead of letting it reach the edge. On passing downs, the Wildcats could widen Gregory and leave Hill inside the formation against a guard, where his heavy hands may matter more than his first step. Another option is a two-edge package with Hill and Gregory both outside, forcing the offense to decide which rusher gets help. Those are possible calls, not confirmed plans. Watch whether Hill remains on the field when Kansas State changes personnel for third down. That will show whether his job travels beyond the run game.
06 · The ThesisThe Pate State Read
Hill gives Kansas State a useful kind of uncertainty. Peterson already trusts what Hill does at the point of attack, but the staff still has to find out whether that work comes with enough pass-rush value for a bigger Saturday role. Gregory is the proven young piece. Hill’s job is to make the other edge less comfortable for an offense, whether that means absorbing a puller on second-and-six or beating a tackle on third down. The risk isn’t that Hill lacks a place. It’s that his place stays limited to a few early-down snaps. Kansas State’s front will look better if Hill handles the blocks Peterson named and stays available when the game turns into a passing contest. Watch who lines up next to Gregory on third down.
07 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Does Hill play on third down?
A steady third-down role would show that Kansas State trusts more than his run defense. If he leaves when the offense spreads out, his opening job is narrower.
Who lines up beside Gregory?
The pairing will show how the Wildcats are dividing the defensive-end snaps. Hill next to Gregory points to a larger role, while Osunsanmi or Davis staying in the package keeps the rotation open.
How does Hill handle a pulling blocker?
Watch whether he spills the block and forces the run back inside. That is the clearest live version of the technique Peterson praised.
Does Hill affect the quarterback?
A few disruptive rushes would make offenses account for Hill instead of sending extra help toward Gregory. That would give Kansas State a second edge threat.