NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Communication Studies – 3.60 GPA
Head Coach: Bill Snyder | Athletics Director: Gene Taylor
Faculty Athletics Representative: Be Stoney
Only the fifth player in Kansas State history to be a three-year captain, Dalton Risner’s leadership has allowed him to be a force both on the field and in the community. The Wiggins, Colorado, native is the sixth NFF National Scholar Athlete in K-State history.
Boasting a 3.60 GPA, Risner graduated with a degree in communication studies in December 2017 while minoring in leadership and also earning a certification in coaching. A four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, Risner earned first team honors the last three seasons and second team laurels in 2015.
This season, Risner has led the Wildcat offense to the third highest rushing yards (1,946) and rushing yards per game (176.9) in the Big 12 as well as blocking for the conference’s leading rusher, Alex Barnes (1,171 yards). Risner's 49 career starts are the third most by a Wildcat offensive lineman since 1989.
Named a 2017 First Team All-American by Pro Football Focus, Risner has started in every game of his college career. In 2017, he guided a Wildcats offense that tied for third place in school history in rushing yards per carry (4.98) while also finishing seventh in program history with 2,584 total rushing yards. In 2016, Risner led an offensive line that paved the way for a school record 5.27-yard per carry average. A 2015 First Team Freshman All-American and two time First Team All-Big 12 selection, Risner has led K-State to three consecutive bowl games, including wins in the 2016 Texas and 2017 Cactus bowls.
A member of the 2018 AFCA Good Works Team and a 2018 Wuerffel Trophy finalist, Risner created the RiseUp Foundation, which encourages others to rise above evil and be a shining light in others’ lives. He serves as a big brother to a young boy battling leukemia, visiting him numerous times throughout the year, and he spends time with kids battling cancer at Camp Home. Risner actively visits the Buttonwood Special Needs Home and serves as a guest speaker at numerous schools in the Manhattan area and in his hometown in Colorado.
