Relentless Pursuit of Improvement
Aug 18, 2025 | Football, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
His parents won't be able to make it to Aviva Stadium, and Travis Bates says that he'll miss giving them his traditional pre-game wave. But the Kansas State junior defensive end knows they'll be watching back home in Tomball, Texas, along with the rest of the college football-watching nation when No. 17 K-State faces No. 22 Iowa State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23.
The lights will come on for the evening kickoff (11:00 a.m. CT) in Dublin, Ireland, as the first game of the 2025 college football season gets underway and the longest uninterrupted series in the FBS unfolds for a 109th time — this time like never before.
"Sadly, my parents won't be going, so I won't be able to give them a little wave, but it'll be a cool experience," Bates said. "The first game is usually UT Martin or SEMO, so to start out with Iowa State, I mean, it brings a different level of intensity. You're usually not facing a conference opponent in the first game, but this year, it's a lot of fun, just because we know who is coming.
"It's a big-time game."
Bates, who applauded the extra time in the weight room during the offseason for adding muscle while cutting body fat, appears built for the challenge. The 6-foot-3, 269-pounder, who played in all 13 games as a regular member of the rotation at defensive end last season, enters his junior season — his second season at K-State — eager to make the most of every opportunity.
Bates played on 223 defensive snaps last season, including a season-high 25 against Arizona State and Rutgers. He posted 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
"You lose muscle during the season, so it was big to get that extra time to build more muscle," he said. "It's been amazing for us guys, so we didn't have to bang all spring. We built muscle and practiced. I've actually lost a little bit of fat, but I've gained weight, so I'm probably 10 pounds heavier than last year. I feel a lot better and more agile."
K-State returns one full-time starter at defensive end — bruising sixth-year senior Cody Stufflebean, a team captain in 2024 and 2025. K-State defensive ends coach Buddy Wyatt has more firepower than a year ago, with Chiddi Obiazor, Tobi Osunsanmi, Ryan Davis, Jordan Allen and Bates, among others.
It's a deep defensive ends room.
Bates is ready to step up.
"I've improved a lot," he said. "It's mainly because of the guys around me. They push me to be my best self every day, even when I might not feel like it. I've gotten quicker, more agile, and my mobility has gotten better. I've stepped more into a role where I'm a leader maybe.
"I'm just ready to go out there and prove it and show what I can do."
There was a time when Bates wondered if he might even reach this level. Lightly regarded coming out of Tomball High School, Bates went to Austin Peay State and worked hard to prove to himself that he could play college football. Bates did exactly that and earned Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele.
Turned out it was a steppingstone.
"The people at Austin Peay, I love those guys," Bates said upon arriving at K-State prior to last season. "I had to take a hard look at what I wanted to do. I realized that I needed to be developed. I want to play in the NFL one day, and if I'm not developed, I won't be able to do that. Coach Wyatt develops players. That's why I'm here."
Why K-State?
"What set K-State over the top were the relationships I built with the coaches," he said. "When I entered the portal, I wanted to find a spot that had a family environment and a winning culture on and off the field. Hearing from coaches and other players on my visit, it felt like this was the place.
"I'm going to give it everything I've got. Every play, I'm going to have a relentless motor and pursuit of every play. I'm never going to give up on a play. I'll give everything I've got to this team."
And now he's here on the verge of taking the field in a big-time game against a familiar opponent.
"We fly around, and we're physical, especially up front," Bates said. "We're just going to do whatever it takes to keep them behind the chains."
And everybody will be watching.
"This is a conference game, a big-time game, and not a throw-away game," he said. "None of the games are throw-away, but this game means a lot more, especially because it's in conference.
"We're as prepared as we can be for this trip."
His parents won't be able to make it to Aviva Stadium, and Travis Bates says that he'll miss giving them his traditional pre-game wave. But the Kansas State junior defensive end knows they'll be watching back home in Tomball, Texas, along with the rest of the college football-watching nation when No. 17 K-State faces No. 22 Iowa State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on August 23.
The lights will come on for the evening kickoff (11:00 a.m. CT) in Dublin, Ireland, as the first game of the 2025 college football season gets underway and the longest uninterrupted series in the FBS unfolds for a 109th time — this time like never before.
"Sadly, my parents won't be going, so I won't be able to give them a little wave, but it'll be a cool experience," Bates said. "The first game is usually UT Martin or SEMO, so to start out with Iowa State, I mean, it brings a different level of intensity. You're usually not facing a conference opponent in the first game, but this year, it's a lot of fun, just because we know who is coming.
"It's a big-time game."
Bates, who applauded the extra time in the weight room during the offseason for adding muscle while cutting body fat, appears built for the challenge. The 6-foot-3, 269-pounder, who played in all 13 games as a regular member of the rotation at defensive end last season, enters his junior season — his second season at K-State — eager to make the most of every opportunity.
Bates played on 223 defensive snaps last season, including a season-high 25 against Arizona State and Rutgers. He posted 13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
"You lose muscle during the season, so it was big to get that extra time to build more muscle," he said. "It's been amazing for us guys, so we didn't have to bang all spring. We built muscle and practiced. I've actually lost a little bit of fat, but I've gained weight, so I'm probably 10 pounds heavier than last year. I feel a lot better and more agile."
K-State returns one full-time starter at defensive end — bruising sixth-year senior Cody Stufflebean, a team captain in 2024 and 2025. K-State defensive ends coach Buddy Wyatt has more firepower than a year ago, with Chiddi Obiazor, Tobi Osunsanmi, Ryan Davis, Jordan Allen and Bates, among others.
It's a deep defensive ends room.
Bates is ready to step up.
"I've improved a lot," he said. "It's mainly because of the guys around me. They push me to be my best self every day, even when I might not feel like it. I've gotten quicker, more agile, and my mobility has gotten better. I've stepped more into a role where I'm a leader maybe.
"I'm just ready to go out there and prove it and show what I can do."
There was a time when Bates wondered if he might even reach this level. Lightly regarded coming out of Tomball High School, Bates went to Austin Peay State and worked hard to prove to himself that he could play college football. Bates did exactly that and earned Freshman All-America honors from Phil Steele.
Turned out it was a steppingstone.
"The people at Austin Peay, I love those guys," Bates said upon arriving at K-State prior to last season. "I had to take a hard look at what I wanted to do. I realized that I needed to be developed. I want to play in the NFL one day, and if I'm not developed, I won't be able to do that. Coach Wyatt develops players. That's why I'm here."
Why K-State?
"What set K-State over the top were the relationships I built with the coaches," he said. "When I entered the portal, I wanted to find a spot that had a family environment and a winning culture on and off the field. Hearing from coaches and other players on my visit, it felt like this was the place.
"I'm going to give it everything I've got. Every play, I'm going to have a relentless motor and pursuit of every play. I'm never going to give up on a play. I'll give everything I've got to this team."
And now he's here on the verge of taking the field in a big-time game against a familiar opponent.
"We fly around, and we're physical, especially up front," Bates said. "We're just going to do whatever it takes to keep them behind the chains."
And everybody will be watching.
"This is a conference game, a big-time game, and not a throw-away game," he said. "None of the games are throw-away, but this game means a lot more, especially because it's in conference.
"We're as prepared as we can be for this trip."
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DE
/ FootballK-State Women's Basketball | Postgame Highlights at Arizona State
Monday, February 02
K-State Men's Basketball | David Castillo, PJ Haggerty Postgame Press Conference (Iowa State)
Sunday, February 01
K-State Men's Basketball | Coach Tang Postgame Press Conference (Iowa State)
Sunday, February 01
K-State Men's Basketball | Game Highlights vs Iowa State
Sunday, February 01
