Kansas State’s quarterback room could look a whole lot different if the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model becomes the norm, and the biggest ripple may be around Avery Johnson.
Under the proposed setup, athletes who enroll in school by age 19 would get five seasons of eligibility. That would replace the old framework that gave players five years to play four seasons, and it would also do away with redshirt rules in football and basketball. In this case, the change matters because Johnson played as a true freshman.
Johnson is the clearest beneficiary on the Wildcats’ roster. If the model sticks, he could potentially have two seasons left at Kansas State instead of being pushed toward the NFL after 2026. And that’s a huge deal for a player who is not projected as a first-round pick heading into that season.
The path is pretty simple. If Johnson turns in a huge 2026 and climbs into first-round territory, he’s almost certainly gone.
But if he stays outside that range - which the source says is the most likely outcome - he suddenly has more choices after the season. Instead of being boxed into the draft, he could decide whether to return for 2027.
That gives him and Kansas State more flexibility than they would have had under the old system.
There’s also a football-side benefit for the staff. Freshly minted head coach Collin Klein and offensive coordinator Sean Gleason could get two seasons to install their offense with Johnson at quarterback.
Johnson has already played in Klein’s offense, which helps, but another year would give the new staff more time to fully build around a veteran passer. Klein also could end up with the program leader in touchdown passes for two seasons, which is no small thing.
Of course, that extra year for Johnson would complicate the depth chart behind him. Blake Barnett and Dillion Duff entered the picture knowing their first real chance to win the starting job would come in 2026, if Johnson left for the NFL after three seasons.
That did not happen, and if Johnson returns again in 2027, the wait gets even longer. Asking either quarterback to hang around with the hope of taking over in 2028 would be a tough sell.
The 2027 quarterback commitment Cam Kruse probably wouldn’t be affected, but there could be some knock-on effects in the 2028 class. Kansas State is said to be in a strong position to land four-star quarterback Titus Huard. Still, the source notes that the impact could also end up being minimal.
For now, the quarterback room under this model would be a good problem to have. More talent, more experience, more options - and in the portal era, the Wildcats can keep the rest of the depth chart moving if needed.
Here’s how the room breaks down:
- Avery Johnson, QB, 2023 recruiting class, high school, Kansas, Maize, 4-star (94), three seasons at KSU, two seasons of eligibility remaining
- Jacob Knuth, QB, 2022 recruiting class, portal, South Dakota, Harrisburg, 3-star (86.9), transferred from Minnesota, three seasons at KSU, one season of eligibility remaining
- Blake Barnett, QB, 2024 recruiting class, high school, Colorado, Erie, 3-star (87.9), two seasons at KSU, three seasons of eligibility remaining
- Dillion Duff, QB, 2025 recruiting class, high school, Missouri, De Smet Jesuit, 3-star (85.6), one season at KSU, four seasons of eligibility remaining
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Kansas States roster reset has already pushed the staff to think ahead, and the latest move fits that timeline. The Wildcats have extended an early offer in the 2027 class as they keep adding names to the board while working to replace the production and depth lost to departures and injuries last season. With three players already committed for 2026 in Nash Stark, Jaylen Alexander and Devin Hutcherson, the program is trying to balance immediate roster needs with a longer runway.
The new target adds another layer to that effort, especially because the staff is clearly not waiting around to sort out the future frontcourt. Kansas State is still hunting its first 2027 commitment, and every early offer feels like part of a bigger attempt to stay ahead in a cycle that could shape the next version of the Wildcats. For a team still rebuilding its base, these first moves can say as much about priorities as any commitment eventually will. [Read more 🡒]
EA Sports Just Gave Avery Johnson And K-State Real Respect
Avery Johnsons profile in EA Sports College Football 27 says plenty about how the industry views Kansas States ceiling this season. The Wildcats quarterback landed at 88 overall, the highest mark on the roster, and hes joined by a group that looks far deeper than a typical one-man headline, with 11 K-State players checked in at 80 or better.
Johnsons place among the games top quarterbacks is a sign that the respect is real, even if he still has room to climb in the national conversation. Kansas State also has multiple skill players and running backs rated in the 80s, which gives the roster a balanced look on paper and hints at why the Wildcats could be a tougher out than casual observers might expect. [Read more 🡒]