Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson didn’t just offer a scouting report on Collin Klein. He gave a window into the kind of coach Klein is trying to be in his first year back in Manhattan.
At Big 12 media days last month, Johnson told Chancellor Johnson, “You better come with neck roll on, fingers taped, he’s going to come downhill at you.”
That line says plenty about how Johnson sees Klein: physical, direct and still very much shaped by the way he played when he was the Wildcats’ quarterback in the early 2010s. For Johnson, that isn’t secondhand knowledge. The two have been tightly connected since Klein helped recruit him to Kansas State, building one of the stronger coach-quarterback relationships in college football.
Klein’s return has put him in charge of a program that’s trying to climb back toward national relevance. Kansas State went 6-6 last season and, even though it was postseason-eligible, turned down a bowl invitation. That decision led to Chris Klieman resigning after the year, clearing the path for Klein to come back to Manhattan after a stint as Texas A&M’s offensive coordinator in 2024.
The Wildcats were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 by the league media, but Klein is clearly aiming higher than that. Getting there will depend in part on how smoothly he handles the move from assistant to head coach. It will also depend heavily on Johnson, who is entering his third season as the full-time starter.
Johnson had a strong sophomore year, but inconsistency crept in at times last season. Now, with his relationship with Klein as a foundation, Kansas State is hoping that connection helps push the Wildcats into the Big 12 title race and keeps the College Football Playoff within reach.
In Other News...
Chris Klieman Revealed Why Collin Klein Made Sense For Kansas State
Collin Kleins return to Manhattan as Kansas States offensive coordinator did not happen by accident, and Chris Klieman made clear there was a natural fit behind it. The two had built a longstanding relationship, and Klieman said the timing lined up once he had decided to step down, opening the door for a conversation that had real momentum behind it. From his perspective, Klein brought the kind of familiarity and credibility that made the move make sense for the program.
Klieman also framed the transition as one built on support rather than overreach, which matters in a spot as important as offensive coordinator. He said he intends to be available as an advisory presence for Klein, serving as a sounding board and offering administrative help as needed. For Kansas State, the interesting part now is how that partnership settles in and how much of the Wildcats next offensive identity will be shaped by a familiar hand back in the building. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Is Already Chasing The Next Big In-State Core
Kansas States recruiting momentum is already rolling into the next cycle, with Collin Klein and the Wildcats staff turning attention toward the 2028 class even after landing a strong 2027 group that already sits at 27 commitments. The early emphasis is familiar for this program: build from home first, identify the best in-state talent, and keep the pipeline steady before the 2026 season even arrives.
The quarterback board is part of that early groundwork, with Titus Huard and Cannon Zubeck among the names drawing attention as Kansas State shapes what it hopes will become the next key in-state core. For a staff trying to stay ahead of the curve, the challenge is less about finding interest and more about holding it long enough to turn an early list of targets into another class that fits the Wildcats long-term plan. [Read more 🡒]