Kansas State’s quarterback situation has gone from thin to paper-thin heading into Saturday’s matchup with Colorado.
Jacob Knuth has officially been ruled out on the latest Big 12 availability report, according to the Manhattan Mercury, leaving the Wildcats with just Dillon Duff or Blake Barnett as the next man up. Knuth had already been listed as doubtful after dealing with ankle injuries during last week’s game, but now he’ll sit out entirely.
That adds another layer to a brutal stretch for Kansas State under center. Avery Johnson has already been ruled out for the second straight week after missing last Saturday’s 28-17 loss at Arizona State, which means the Wildcats are facing their third different starting quarterback in as many games.
Knuth was the one who stepped in for Johnson against the Sun Devils and made his first career start. He completed 26 of 41 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown, and he also ran for a score. But the ankle issue clearly limited him, and the Wildcats now have to move on without him for the trip to Boulder.
That leaves Collin Klein choosing between two very different options. Barnett brings at least some college game experience, having played in four games last season mostly as a change-of-pace running quarterback. He also saw the field in Kansas State’s season opener against Nicholls this year before getting hurt.
Duff is the less proven name, but he had been in the mix for the backup job before suffering an injury during preseason camp. The sophomore has not yet appeared in a college game.
However it shakes out, Kansas State is trying to steady itself in the middle of a difficult slide. The Wildcats are 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play after losing three of their last four. Colorado comes in at 2-5 and is still searching for its first conference win.
In Other News...
Kansas State Now Faces A Big 12 Future Without Brett Yormark
Brett Yormarks decision to step away after helping steer the Big 12 through a dramatic stretch leaves Kansas State looking at a conference future shaped by someone elses hand. Since taking over in August 2022, Yormark has been a central figure in the leagues rapid changes, from finalizing major media rights deals to helping expand the conference to 16 teams, while also locking in tournament extensions and sponsorships that gave the Big 12 more stability and reach.
For Kansas State, the timing matters as much as the news itself. Yormark will remain in place through January 2027, which means the Wildcats will still see him around as the league keeps moving through this transformed era, but the bigger question is what comes next once that chapter closes. Big 12 leadership praised his work and leadership during a period of major growth, and now the conference has to figure out how to carry that momentum forward without the commissioner who helped define it. [Read more 🡒]
Kansas State Heads To Colorado With A Quarterback Problem Fans Feared
Kansas State heads into its October 31 trip to Colorado with the kind of quarterback uncertainty no team wants this late in the season. Injuries have clouded the position for the Wildcats, leaving the offense in a fragile spot at a time when every possession matters, especially with another Big 12 test looming on the road.
Colorado has dealt with quarterback changes of its own and still brings plenty of questions into the matchup, even if the Buffaloes showed some fight in a close loss to Utah. Both teams have had issues with turnovers and inconsistency on offense, which only adds to the sense that this one could hinge on which side handles the chaos better. [Read more 🡒]
Collin Klein Is Sending An Early Recruiting Message For Kansas State
Kansas State is already planting seeds for the future, and early recruiting coordinator Collin Klein is making sure the Wildcats are in the conversation with some of the youngest prospects in the pipeline. The latest round of offers has stretched into the 2028 class and beyond, including linebacker Ak Mekaowulu out of McKinney Boyd High School in Texas, along with a growing list of players at multiple positions as the staff keeps casting a wide net.
For Kansas State, these early offers are as much about relationships as they are about evaluation. The Wildcats have been active with players such as Israel Johnigan, Ashton Tayler and Jayden Stephens, signaling that Klein and the staff are working well ahead of the usual recruiting calendar to establish trust with future classes. It is still very early, but the message is clear enough for anyone watching how Kansas State wants to build its next wave of talent. [Read more 🡒]