The Kansas State Wildcats are entering a new chapter in program history, and first-year head coach Collin Klein believes veteran quarterback Avery Johnson is ready to lead the team back into Big 12 contention with a breakout senior campaign.
Klein takes over after longtime head coach Chris Klieman retired following the 2025 season. During Klieman’s seven-year tenure, Kansas State compiled a 54-34 record, reached five bowl games, and established itself as one of the Big 12’s most consistent programs. Now, the former Wildcats quarterback and offensive coordinator has been entrusted with guiding the next era of Kansas State football.
One of Klein’s biggest priorities will be maximizing the potential of Johnson, who enters his third season as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback after an up-and-down 2025 campaign.
Johnson burst onto the scene in 2024, helping Kansas State post a 9-4 record while showcasing his dynamic dual-threat ability. He threw for more than 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 605 rushing yards and seven rushing scores, emerging as one of the conference’s most exciting quarterbacks.
However, both Johnson and the Wildcats regressed last season.
Kansas State slipped to 6-6, and Johnson’s production declined across nearly every statistical category. He finished with fewer than 2,400 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, and less than 500 rushing yards, as the offense struggled to replace standout running back DJ Giddens, whose departure removed one of the team’s biggest offensive weapons.
Despite the disappointing season, Klein remains convinced Johnson possesses the qualities needed to return to elite form.
Speaking about his quarterback, Klein emphasized that Johnson’s greatest strengths extend well beyond his impressive athletic ability.
“I would argue some of his best attributes are not physical,” Klein said, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy. “I know everyone sees how fast he is; everybody sees the arm talent. He’s one of the best competitors I’ve been around.”
The comments highlight the confidence Klein has in Johnson’s leadership, work ethic and competitive mindset as the pair begin working together in their new coach-quarterback partnership.
Klein also brings an impressive track record of developing dual-threat quarterbacks.
Before returning to Manhattan, he spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at Texas A&M, where he helped quarterback Marcel Reed develop into one of the SEC’s most productive signal-callers. Under Klein’s guidance, Reed threw for nearly 3,200 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025 while rushing for more than 1,000 yards over two seasons.
Johnson possesses a different physical profile than Reed. At 6-foot-3 and nearly 200 pounds, combined with reported 4.4-second 40-yard speed, he offers rare size, speed and arm strength that make him one of the most gifted quarterbacks in the Big 12.
While his physical tools have never been questioned, the focus entering the 2026 season is on improving his decision-making, command of the offense and consistency—areas Klein believes are already showing progress.
Johnson’s development could ultimately determine how successful Kansas State is in Klein’s first season as head coach. If the senior quarterback returns to the level he displayed in 2024 while taking another step as a leader, the Wildcats could emerge as a legitimate contender for a return to double-digit victories for the first time since 2022.
With a new coaching staff, renewed confidence in their quarterback and heightened expectations entering the fall, Kansas State is hoping Johnson’s senior season becomes the catalyst for another championship push in the Big 12.
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