Kansas State football has added more defensive help through the transfer portal.
Alabama freshman linebacker and edge rusher Jayshawn Ross announced his commitment on social media Tuesday, making him the Wildcats’ third portal pickup since the new year.
Former Nebraska running back Gabe Ervin and South Alabama cornerback Amario Fortenberry committed to K-State on Friday. The Wildcats now have added 10 players through the portal after losing 16 before their 44-41 Rate Bowl victory over Rutgers.
The 6-foot-4, 239-pound Ross appeared in just one game for Alabama in 2024, which means he joins K-State as a redshirt freshman. He entered the portal after the Crimson Tide’s 19-13 loss to Michigan on Dec. 31 in the ReliaQuest Bowl.
K-State recruited Ross, a four-star prospect from Kansas City, Missouri, out of Liberty North High School last year, but he chose Alabama over the Wildcats, Florida State, Oklahoma, Penn State and Tennessee. He was the No. 6-ranked player in Missouri and No. 22 edge player nationally by On3.
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K-State loses sack leader Brendan Mott, the Big 12 defensive lineman of the year, but Cody Stufflebean is eligible to return as a super-senior at the other end, along with a group of talented young pass rushers that include Travis Bates, Tobi Osunsanmi, Chiddi Obiazor, Ryan Davis and Jordan Allen. At linebacker, three-year starter Austin Moore completed his eligibility, but Austin Romaine returns in the middle and Desmond Purnell on the strong side.
Fortenberry, who played in 13 games with nine starts as a freshman at South Alabama, will help fill a void at cornerback after Jacob Parrish entered the NFL Draft and fellow starter Keenan Garber ran out of eligibility.
The 5-11, 175-pound Fortenberry had 43 tackles with two interceptions and a pass breakup as a freshman.
While speedsters Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson are expected to see most of the action at running back with the departure of DJ Giddens to the NFL, the 6-1, 220-pound Ervin will provide a power option alternative in the backfield. He spent four seasons at Nebraska with 455 career rushing yards but ran for just 41 with two touchdowns in eight games this past season.
Kansas State football transfer portal activity
Kansas State portal additions (10)
Jerand Bradley (Boston College) — wide receiver
Gabe Ervin (Nebraska) — running back
Amario Fortenberry (South Alabama) — cornerback
Gunner Maldonado (Arizona) — safety
Mar’Quavious Moss (West Georgia) — safety
Gabe Powers (Ohio State) — linebacker
Jayshawn Ross (Alabama) — linebacker/edge
Jayden Rowe (Oklahoma) — cornerback
Amos Talalele (USC) — offensive line
Jaron Tibbs (Purdue) — wide receiver
Kansas State portal departures (16)
Evan Cantu — running back
Jayden Cook — cornerback
Jordan Dunbar (Bowling Green) — cornerback
Keagan Johnson (New Mexico) — wide receiver
Darell Jones — cornerback
Terry Kirksey (Connecticut) — linebacker
Alec Marenco — linebacker
Erwin Nash — wide receiver
Donovan Rieman (Louisiana Tech)  pro— defensive end
Ta’Quan Roberson — quarterback
Kam Sallis — linebacker
Tre Spivey (Arizona) — wide receiver
Nickendre Stiger — safety
Dante Thomas — safety
Carver Willis (Washington) — offensive tackle
Justin Wolf — tight end
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football gets Alabama linebacker Jayshawn Ross from portal
