MANHATTAN, KS. (KSNT) - K-State football gets a lot of help from Kansas kids, including one from its own backyard. Manhattan High alum and Wildcat defensive tackle Damian Ilalio made a big impact in his junior season, but he has a bigger role off the field. Ilalio joined K-Nation's Landon Reinhardt one-on-one, where he got to discuss his role as a father to his one-year-old daughter, Oakley. "The other day, she said, 'I love you,' for the first time, so that was pretty cool," Ilalio said. "I felt really accomplished, that dad moment." Being a college football player can be a challenging balance on its own - so being a full-time dad on top of it makes that harder. "It's definitely tough," Ilalio said. "First, I want to credit my girlfriend, she's amazing, she helps a lot. A lot of the 6 a.m. workouts wouldn't be as good is she wasn't helping out at night." Ilalio says Oakley is a true football daughter, hanging out around the facilities with teammates and coaches. "I make it work, and I love doing it. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Ilalio said. The senior to-be says he can even lean on the K-State staff at times when it comes to parenting. "I wouldn't be able to be the guy I am right now without [K-State football's coaches]," Ilalio said. "They've helped me in so many ways, specifically in being a father. I ask them a lot of questions, and they give me a lot of feedback." The full interview with Ilalio ran on Sunday's episode of K-Nation and can be watched above.