Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson keeps stacking up numbers, and his latest showing gave NFL evaluators plenty to keep circling.
Johnson closed out his college career against Kansas without a loss in the annual Sunflower Showdown, leaning on both his arm and his legs to help deliver the result. He finished 14 of 24 passing for 209 yards and a touchdown, while adding 132 rushing yards on 12 carries.
That kind of production is exactly why Johnson’s name is expected to be in the NFL conversation after this season, even though he still has the option to pursue a fifth year. His body of work already shows a quarterback who can beat defenses in more than one way.
The passing résumé is there, especially from his sophomore season, which stands as his best so far. He has also proved he can hurt teams as a runner, and this year he already has two games with at least 100 rushing yards.
The question isn’t whether Johnson can produce. It’s whether he can keep climbing. After that standout sophomore year, his numbers slipped sharply last season, a step back that made this year important for his development.
So far, he has answered with progress, and a lot of that traces back to playing in Collin Klein’s system. Klein and Johnson know each other well, and Klein played a major part in helping Johnson stay in-state and sign with Kansas State instead of leaving Kansas.
Johnson was a four-star recruit out of Maize High School in Wichita, with offers coming in from across the country. He chose to stay close to home, and he turned down other college opportunities later as well, even with NIL money in the mix.
For Johnson, the path forward is simple: keep producing at this level and keep showing scouts the same dual-threat package that NFL teams keep chasing. That skill set is in demand, and the league has made it clear it values quarterbacks who can stress defenses with both their arm and their legs.
There’s also a recent example in the state that only helps the case. Former Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is thriving with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after going undrafted, stepping in for the injured Baker Mayfield and making an impact with the Bucs.
In Other News...
Kansas State May Need Another Tight End Fix Against Arizona State
Garrett Oakley is expected to miss a second straight game, leaving Kansas State to keep adjusting at tight end as it prepares for Arizona State. Coach Collin Klein said the starting tight end is dealing with a viral illness, and Oakley was already out for the Wildcats game against Kansas, forcing the staff to shuffle personnel and look for help elsewhere on the offense.
One of those fixes has been using freshman offensive tackle Oliver Miller in a tight end role in recent games, a move that shows how much the Wildcats have had to improvise around the spot. With Oakley unlikely to return this week, Kansas State will again have to manage its tight end plan on the fly while trying to stay on schedule against the Sun Devils. [Read more 🡒]
K-State Revives A Throwback Look Fans Never Expected This Soon
Kansas State is reaching back into its wardrobe for a look that feels equal parts familiar and fresh, unveiling alternate uniforms with purple helmets and purple pants for its upcoming game against Arizona State. The Wildcats shared images of the set on social media ahead of the matchup, and the combination brings back a style that has been part of the programs history but not its recent game-day routine.
The purple helmets are especially notable, since Kansas State has not worn them since 1988. The purple pants also make their return after last being used during the Ron Prince era, giving this weeks matchup a vintage feel before the Wildcats even take the field. For fans who like a little nostalgia mixed into the present, it is a throwback worth paying attention to. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Faces A Road Test After Last Weeks Ground Breakthrough
Kansas State heads into Saturdays trip to Tempe with a little more breathing room after finally breaking through for its first Big 12 win of the season against Kansas. The Wildcats will now try to carry that momentum into Mountain America Stadium, where they face Arizona State on Oct. 24 with kickoff set for 2:45 p.m. CT.
Arizona State comes in looking to respond after a loss to Texas Tech, which makes this one feel like an important measuring-stick game for both programs. The matchup will be on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+, giving the Wildcats a quick chance to see whether last weeks breakthrough can travel on the road. [Read more 🡒]