at Kansas State Saturday October 21, 2028
The McAlary Effect
The McAlary Effect
at Kansas State Saturday October 21, 2028
The McAlary Effect
Kansas Adds Three Standouts, Misses on Two Key Targets as 2029 Recruiting Class Climbs to #9 Nationally
Kansas football continued to build momentum on the recruiting trail, landing three impact defensive players in what’s shaping up to be one of the most impressive classes in program history. The Jayhawks added five-star outside linebacker Charles McFoy, five-star cornerback Manuel Medeiros, and four-star defensive end Terrance Gilliam, giving them nine total commitments in the 2029 cycle and vaulting their class to #9 nationally.
McFoy, a 6’4”, 230-pound force from Lawton, Oklahoma, headlines the trio. Known for his physicality and elite pursuit skills, McFoy projects as a day-one contributor at outside linebacker in Kansas’ aggressive defensive scheme.
Joining him is Fort Worth corner Manuel Medeiros, a dynamic athlete with rare change of direction and closing speed. At 6’0”, 193 pounds, Medeiros is a prototype for modern zone coverage schemes and adds instant versatility to the Jayhawks' secondary.
Rounding out the haul is Terrance Gilliam, a 6’4”, 236-pound edge rusher from Arlington, Texas. A high-motor athlete with explosive finesse moves, Gilliam brings much-needed pressure ability to the Kansas defensive front.
However, it wasn’t all good news for the Jayhawks. Five-star defensive tackle Roderick Powell, the No. 6 player in the nation, opted to stay in the Southeast and signed with Georgia. Kansas also lost out on Texas tight end Gio Bradbury, the No. 123 overall recruit, who surprisingly committed to Arkansas State.
Still, head coach Jordan McAlary and his staff continue to build a foundation for long-term success, and with a top-10 class taking shape, Kansas is firmly in the national spotlight on the recruiting trail.
"This is how you stack talent and build a culture of competition," a program source said. "McFoy, Medeiros, Gilliam—they're all high-character, high-impact guys who want to be part of something special."
Charles McFoy – ROLB – 5★ – Lawton, OK (Eisenhower High School)
McFoy is a 6’4”, 230-pound enforcer off the edge who thrives in run support and excels at disrupting plays behind the line of scrimmage. A true “run stopper” with elite closing speed and physicality, McFoy combines high-level athletic traits with a team-first mindset.
Strengths:
Exceptional pursuit and closing speed
Physical tackler with high hit power
Excellent block shedding ability
Versatile enough to rush the passer and contain the edge
Leader mentality
McFoy gives Kansas a potential game-changer at outside linebacker with the ability to set the tone defensively from day one.
Manuel Medeiros – CB – 5★ – Fort Worth, TX (Sunset High School)
Medeiros is a 6’0”, 193-pound zone coverage specialist with elite athleticism and instincts. He’s one of the most fluid defensive backs in the class, showcasing elite change of direction, top-end speed, and tremendous agility.
Strengths:
Premier change of direction and agility
Strong zone coverage instincts
Great acceleration and recovery speed
High football IQ
Medeiros projects as a lockdown corner in Kansas' secondary, with the tools to blanket receivers and make game-changing plays in critical moments.
Terrance Gilliam – RE – 4★ – Arlington, TX (Arlington Martin High School)
Gilliam is a 6’4”, 236-pound edge rusher with excellent finesse moves and closing speed. Built to attack, he thrives in one-on-one matchups and brings both speed and power off the edge.
Strengths:
Quick first step with great acceleration
Effective finesse rusher with strong pursuit angles
High motor and physical strength at the point of attack
Mentally tough and well-rounded
Gilliam fits Kansas’ need for a speed rusher on the edge to replace Greydon Grimes and should bring consistent pressure to opposing quarterbacks early in his career.
The McAlary Effect
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