As Kansas State looks to turn the page on a couple of underwhelming seasons, the spotlight is squarely on two familiar faces: head coach Collin Klein and quarterback Avery Johnson. It’s not just a reunion - it’s a reset. And if there’s going to be a resurgence in Manhattan, it’s likely going to run through the connection between these two.
Klein and Johnson aren’t strangers. In fact, it was Klein - then the offensive coordinator - who helped bring Johnson into the fold back in 2023.
That season, Johnson gave fans a glimpse of what the future could look like under Klein’s system. One performance in particular still resonates: a dominant showing against Texas Tech where the freshman quarterback went 8-of-9 through the air for 77 yards and added 90 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns.
That wasn’t just a breakout - it was a statement.
That version of Johnson, the electric dual-threat who could break a game wide open with his legs or his arm, had people talking Heisman the following year. But the buzz faded fast.
His 2024 campaign didn’t meet expectations, and 2025 saw even more of a step back. Johnson moved away from the aggressive, run-heavy style that had made him so dangerous, and the offense lost its edge.
Instead of attacking defenses, he played it safe - and the numbers reflected that.
Now, with Klein stepping into the head coaching role, the hope is that the old magic can be rekindled. Johnson announced earlier this month that he’s returning for one final season, citing “unfinished business” as his driving force. In a heartfelt message to fans, teammates, and coaches, he made it clear: he’s not done yet.
“After a lot of prayer, conversations with my family, and talks with my coaches, I've made the decision to return to Kansas State for my final year,” Johnson said in an Instagram post. “There is unfinished business here, and I'm not done yet.
This place, this program, and this fanbase mean everything to me. The relationships I've built, the culture we've created, and the goals we still have ahead of us are too important to walk away from.
I believe in this team. I believe in our coaches.
And I believe the best is still ahead.”
That kind of conviction matters - especially in a locker room that’s looking for leadership and direction. And Klein? He’s ready to embrace the challenge head-on.
“I love challenges and doing hard things,” Klein said during his introductory press conference. “To go and take this program where it’s never been is gonna be hard.
I want it to be hard, I want it to be difficult. We’re gonna attack it together as a staff, as a fanbase, and as an administration, and we’re gonna take this program where it hasn’t been before.”
There’s no sugarcoating it - Kansas State needs more from Johnson if it’s going to make noise in the Big 12. But with Klein now at the helm and a renewed sense of purpose from his quarterback, there’s reason to believe this could be more than just a feel-good reunion. It could be the start of something special.
Johnson has shown us before what he can do when he’s turned loose. If Klein can unlock that version of him again - the fearless, explosive playmaker - Kansas State might just find itself back in the thick of the conference race. For now, the Wildcats are betting on familiarity, trust, and a shared vision to lead them forward.