Can Collin Klein Turn Things Around For Kansas State QB Avery Johnson?
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Last year Texas A & M quarterback Marcel Reed was one of the best players in all of college football.
Most of it had to do with sheer ability but his offensive coordinator also played a role. After leading the Aggies offense for two seasons, Collin Klein is now the head man in charge for the Kansas State Wildcats.
The hope is Klein can be as effective with Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson as he was with Reed. The Aggies went 11-2 last season, advancing to the College Football Playoffs.
Reed was a big reason why. He threw for 3,169 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes in Klein's offense. Klein, who took over for Chris Klieman last December, is looking to complete another makeover with Johnson.
Johnson was recruited to Manhattan by Klein during high school. At the time, Klein was serving as the Wildcats offensive coordinator. Johnson showed so much promise as a freshman in 2023 when he made two starts in relief of Will Howard. He became just the fifth freshman to start for the Wildcats, joining James Mack (1975), Duane Howard (1976), Josh Freeman (2006) and Will Howard (2020),
Johnson then followed that performance with a breakout year as sophomore. He finished with 2,712 yards with a school-record 25 touchdowns while completing 58 percent of his passes. He also tallied 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Many felt that would be the springboard to an even bigger junior season, but things didn't go as expected. Johnson struggled with inconsistency when his numbers dropped across the board.
It led to a disappointing 6-6 season after beginning the season with such high expectations. With Klein now in charge, the Wildcats are hoping Johnson reverts to his old form.
Kansas State opens the season Sept. 5 against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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