Kansas State Football: Age-Based Eligibility Changes: Offensive Tackle

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 29: Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Alexander McPherson (98) rushes against Kansas State Wildcats offensive lineman John Pastore (78) in the first quarter of a Big 12 football game between the Colorado Buffaloes and Kansas State Wildcats on November 29, 2025 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Note

I’m using the same introduction for all of these articles. If you read any of the articles below, you’ve already read it. I’d recommend skipping ahead to the table.

Quarterback

Wide Receiver

Running Back

Tight End

I’m going to move forward with the idea that the new “age-based” NCAA eligibility model will stick around in some form once all the legal challenges are exhausted. It makes sense, and I’m not sure the schools are interested in the constant court battles over eligibility. I get the feeling that some high-up folks went to check on the college athletics golden goose, and while it wasn’t dead, it was missing some feathers. This age-based model is an attempt to limit some long-term financial damage from disillusioned fans (mostly middle-aged and older) who were once the backbone of college athletics. It feels like this is the first bone they’ve thrown the die-hard fans who care about this sort of stuff in a long while.

I wrote an article explaining the age-based model here. The basic idea is that athletes get 5 seasons of eligibility if they enroll in school by age 19. It prevents 27-year-old Euro pros from dominating college basketball as true freshmen and does away with the archaic redshirt rules in both football and basketball. In theory, it also gets around the arbitrary NCAA eligibility “waiver” system, but I’ll believe it when I see it in action. The schools like hard-and-fast rules right up until the point when they think they should get an exception from said rules.

Anyways, this is how the new “age-based” model affects the football team moving forward. I’ll go through the roster by position group, and at the end I’ll put it all together into a coherent roster with a bunch of information beyond what you find on other sites.

So, without further ado….

Offensive Tackle

#NamePosRecruiting ClassHS/JuCo/PortalHome StateHigh SchoolHS RatingJuco/PortJuCo/Port RatingSeasons at KSUEligibility RemainingName

78John PastoreOL/OT2022Hight SchoolCOErie3*(84.3)NANA41John Pastore

59George FitzpatrickOL/OT2022PortalCOCherry Creek4*(91.2)Ohio State3*(85.1)1George Fitzpatrick

65Tyler JohnsonOL/OT2023PortalLANatchitoches Central3*(87.6)Auburn3*(86)02Tyler Johnson

70Gus HawkinsOL/OT2024High SchoolKSMill Valley4*(92.6)NANA23Gus Hawkins

60Keegan CollinsOL/OT2026High SchoolTXWest Plains3*(88)NANA05Keegan Collins

73Oliver MillerOL/OT2026High SchoolCOCherry Creek3*(87.8)NANA05Oliver Miller

Eligibility Changes

No Changes, with George Fitzpatrick being the only possible exception.

He’ll use the prior 5 seasons to apply the 4-season eligibility model, which provides more wiggle room for medical exceptions. It may not matter. It’s possible he also qualifies for an extra year under the new model as well; losing a season to what sounds like a catastrophic health issue seems like it would qualify for an exemption under either model. Not sure how it will play out, but I’d be surprised if Fitzpatrick doesn’t receive an extra year if he’s interested in playing.

Thoughts

John Pastore is the left tackle. He acquitted himself well last season, so well, in fact, that he was named 2nd-team All-Big 12 by the coaches, despite not being 100% healthy for much of the season.

Right tackle is the question mark. At this point, it sounds like it’s Gus Hawkins’ job to lose. He is one of the highest-rated offensive line prospects in the history of the program, and year 3 is the sweet spot for offensive linemen. His 2025 was cut short due to injury, but he’ll have every opportunity to win the right tackle spot in 2026.

George Fitzpatrick is the wild card. He was on his way to earning the starting nod at left tackle last season before a serious health issue put football on the back burner in 2025. He’s back to his playing weight, but the coaching staff is being understandably cautious with the Ohio State transfer. He’s cleared to practice and could factor into the right tackle race if he’s back to full strength. Remember, he was a 4* prospect coming out of high school for a reason.

Auburn transfer Tyler Johnson was a solid portal pick-up and a hedge against Fitzpatrick’s health. He could back up both tackle spots if George isn’t ready, but his best spot is at right tackle. While Hawkins is the favorite to win the job, nothing says Johnson couldn’t make a push for the starting job, with Hawkins playing the swing tackle role.

Collins and Miller are both highly rated developmental prospects who will need some seasoning before they are ready to see the field.

Moving Forward

Pastore is gone after this season, leaving a hole at left tackle. In my ideal Kansas State world, Hawkins steps in at left tackle with his prototypical NFL size and athletic traits. He’s the future.

Fitzpatrick is the big question mark. If he’s healthy, he could win a starting job this season. I think the most likely outcome is that he works in at right tackle with Hawkins. He should be in line for an extra season of eligibility and could factor into the left tackle competition in 2027. I just hope he’s healthy. It sounds like he went through some nasty health stuff last year.

Johnson was a career backup in 3-seasons at Auburn. Maybe that’s his ceiling, but he’ll also have an opportunity to secure one of the tackle spots in 2027 (if he doesn’t win the right tackle job in 2026).

Collins and Miller will eat, lift weights, work on technique, and do their best to factor into the 2-deeps in 2027.

This is a solid unit with elite upside. If Hawkins pans out, he could be a first-round draft pick. He looks like he was pulled off an NFL left tackle assembly line.