Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht and safety VJ Payne have received invitations to the 2026 NFL Combine, the league announced Wednesday. Both players recently competed in the Panini Senior Bowl.

The combine will be held Feb. 23 through March 2 at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis. Hecht and Payne are among 319 prospects invited. It marks the fourth straight year K-State has sent multiple players to the event.

Hecht, a Shawnee native, was a two-time All-Big 12 selection and earned first-team honors as a senior. He started the final 25 games of his career and helped K-State rank 10th nationally in fewest sacks allowed.

Payne played in 52 games with 42 starts. He recorded 207 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and four forced fumbles in his career.

Payne will work out Feb. 28. Hecht is scheduled for March 1.