Kansas State University Athletics
Hecht, Payne Earn Shine Bowl Invitations
Nov 04, 2025 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne have been rewarded with successful collegiate careers thus far as the senior duo has earned invitations to the 2026 East West Shrine Bowl.
Hecht and Payne are invited to take part in the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, inside the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
This will be the fourth time in the last five years and the third-straight season the Wildcats have had a representative in the game. Marques Sigle played in last year's edition before being selected in the NFL Draft by San Francisco. In 2024, defensive end Khalid Duke and offensive lineman KT Leveston competed in the game. Duke ended up being a free agent signee by Tennessee, while Leveston was selected in 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. In 2022, quarterback Skylar Thompson and safety Russ Yeast played in the Shrine Bowl before being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dolphins and Rams, respectively.
A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht has started each of the last 22 games dating back to the 2024 season opener, seeing time on a combined 1,410 offensive snaps while only committing two penalties. A 2024 All-Big 12 Second Team honoree, Hecht was on the watch lists for the 2025 Outland and Rimington trophies in addition to being a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Payne, a product of Buford, Georgia, has started a team-leading 39 games, including 38-straight contests to stand as the best on the squad. He has 191 career tackles, including 10.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and 12 total passes defended. This season, Payne ranks third on the team with 43 career tackles.
Following its third and final bye week of the 2025 campaign, Kansas State is back in action next Saturday, November 15, when the Wildcats travel to face Oklahoma State. The game is slated for 11 a.m., and will be shown on ESPNU.
Hecht and Payne are invited to take part in the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, inside the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
This will be the fourth time in the last five years and the third-straight season the Wildcats have had a representative in the game. Marques Sigle played in last year's edition before being selected in the NFL Draft by San Francisco. In 2024, defensive end Khalid Duke and offensive lineman KT Leveston competed in the game. Duke ended up being a free agent signee by Tennessee, while Leveston was selected in 2024 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. In 2022, quarterback Skylar Thompson and safety Russ Yeast played in the Shrine Bowl before being selected in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Dolphins and Rams, respectively.
A native of Shawnee, Kansas, Hecht has started each of the last 22 games dating back to the 2024 season opener, seeing time on a combined 1,410 offensive snaps while only committing two penalties. A 2024 All-Big 12 Second Team honoree, Hecht was on the watch lists for the 2025 Outland and Rimington trophies in addition to being a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Payne, a product of Buford, Georgia, has started a team-leading 39 games, including 38-straight contests to stand as the best on the squad. He has 191 career tackles, including 10.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and 12 total passes defended. This season, Payne ranks third on the team with 43 career tackles.
Following its third and final bye week of the 2025 campaign, Kansas State is back in action next Saturday, November 15, when the Wildcats travel to face Oklahoma State. The game is slated for 11 a.m., and will be shown on ESPNU.
– k-statesports.com –
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
How to follow the Cats: For complete information on K-State Football, visit www.kstatesports.com and follow the team's social media channels on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.
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