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.
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…