Avery Johnson’s path at Kansas State has already had the kind of twists that can reshape a quarterback’s future. He arrived in 2023 as one of the country’s top high school players, a four-star recruit from Maize High School in Wichita, and plenty of Wildcats fans saw him as the next Michael Bishop or Collin Klein.
Now entering his third season as the full-time starter, Johnson is at a crossroads that extends well beyond Manhattan. NFL mock drafts currently have him pegged as an undrafted free agent prospect, but that label is far from permanent if he can put together the kind of senior season that changes the conversation.
Johnson was patient early, sitting behind Will Howard as a freshman before his chance came sooner than expected. Howard entered the transfer portal and moved on to Ohio State, where he won a national championship. Johnson then looked ready to validate the hype, leading Kansas State to a bowl win and producing strong individual numbers in his first year as the starter.
But the momentum has stalled. Kansas State’s 6-6 season changed the tone around the program and ended with coach Chris Klieman resigning. Even so, Johnson still has time to steer his draft stock back in the right direction.
A big year, paired with team success, could get him back on the radar for NFL scouts. There’s also a new layer to this story: Collin Klein, who recruited Johnson to Kansas State, is now in charge. That connection could matter if the two click the way the Wildcats need them to.
Kansas State also made a move on the women’s basketball side, adding center Tzoana Tampakou from Greece. The 6-foot-5 Tampakou played for Greece at the 2025 FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket Division B, where she averaged 6.0 points on 50 percent shooting with 7.3 rebounds in seven games.
"We are excited to add Tzoana for the upcoming year," Wildcats coach Jeff Mittie. "She is a true center that has excellent skill around the basket with both hands and a great feel for the pick and roll and high-low game."
In Other News...
Collin Klein Just Turned Kansas State Camp Into A Roster Reset
Collin Klein has spent the start of Kansas States camp sending a clear message: nothing is going to be handed out. As the Wildcats work through a rebuilding summer after a 6-6 season and the departure of Chris Klieman, Klein said nearly every spot on the roster will be up for grabs, with quarterback Avery Johnson and likely running back Joe Jackson standing as the main exceptions.
For a program trying to reset its identity under a new head coach, that kind of open competition is more than a camp slogan. It puts pressure on veterans, opens the door for younger players and turns every practice rep into part of the evaluation, with Klein stressing that daily effort will decide who earns playing time when the season gets here. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Is Already Building For The Future At Tight End
Kansas State is already looking far down the road at tight end, reaching into the 2028 recruiting class with offers to Sloan Blackwell and AJ Criss as part of an early push to stockpile talent. The Wildcats have also cast a wide net with offers to offensive linemen Jerry Richmond and Asher Megonnell and defensive lineman Ronald Crawford, all of whom are drawing attention from multiple programs at their respective high schools.
For now, the position is in capable hands with Garrett Oakley and Linkon Cure expected to anchor the upcoming season, which gives Kansas State some breathing room to think long term. But these early offers show the staff is trying to get ahead of the curve at a spot where development matters, and the real question is how aggressively the Wildcats can turn those early relationships into future commitments. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Fans Should Keep A Close Eye On This 2026 RB
When Kansas State looks ahead to its 2026 class, Tanner West is the kind of addition that keeps the future conversation interesting. The running back from Katy, Texas, arrives with a strong prep rsum and the sort of national attention that comes with being heavily recruited, and he chose Manhattan after weighing offers from several other programs. He also brings a plan beyond football, with finance as his intended major.
West is widely expected to redshirt as he settles in, but there is still a path for him to contribute sooner if special teams opens the door. For a program that likes to build depth with an eye on development, that makes him worth tracking even before he gets a real offensive role. Kansas State fans may not see the full picture right away, but the early signs point to a player with both pedigree and patience. [Read more 🡒]