Kansas State's Avery Johnson Latest Slight Should Further Fuel Career Season
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Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is largely expected to perform better in 2026 with program legend Collin Klein back in the building.
But in this moment, he's still got something to prove. It was illustrated in the latest major outlet quarterback rankings, this time from The Athletic. It placed Johnson in tier four across the nation at No. 37, labeling Johnson as a "veteran looking for redemption." He made the top 40, but he fell behind six Big 12 quarterbacks, being sandwiched between Will Hammond (Texas Tech) and Jaden Craig (TCU) in the rankings.
"Johnson’s talent has rarely been an issue; the questions surrounding him are more existential," the article wrote. "A supreme athlete, Johnson was expected to take off in 2025 if he cut down on turnovers. Instead, his production dipped across the board. The good news is a familiar face is back. Collin Klein, the coach who recruited Johnson to the Wildcats, returned to Manhattan as head coach after a two-year stint as Texas A&M’s OC."
And based on what we've seen from Johnson, this isn't an egregious placement. Johnson dipped in nearly all statistical categories in 2025, throwing for 2,385 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing for just 477 yards and eight touchdowns. He limited the turnovers, but his mistakes were arguably most detrimental. Above all, Johnson didn't get out on the run a lot and failed to push the ball downfield.
Having Klein back encourages those inside and outside the program that he will have the breakout season everyone's anticipated for years. When Klein was on the sidelines for Johnson, the then-freshman quarterback won all the games he had major play time in. He threw for 479 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions, rushing for 296 yards and seven scores. Johnson's performances against Texas Tech and NC State gave Kansas State confidence that he could be a star for years to come.
Well, it hasn't exactly shaped out like that. Johnson certainly hasn't been bad, but there's been much to be desired.
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