Kansas State football is gearing up for an exciting new chapter as the 2026 season approaches, with significant attention on the quarterback room. The Wildcats are ushering in changes, highlighted by the hiring of former K-State quarterback and 2012 Heisman finalist, Collin Klein, following Chris Klieman's retirement announcement in December. With the season on the horizon, the Wildcats are buzzing with optimism, thanks in part to the addition of first-year quarterbacks coach, Christian Ellsworth.
Christian Ellsworth’s Journey and Impact on K-State
Christian Ellsworth is stepping into his inaugural role as a quarterbacks coach this season. His journey back to The Little Apple is marked by a rich history as a quarterback at Northern Iowa from 2016 to 2019. Ellsworth later joined forces with Klein at Texas A&M in 2024, serving as a senior offensive analyst and tight ends coach.
His coaching path includes stints as a graduate assistant in South Carolina and an offensive analyst in Nebraska. Notably, Ellsworth's coaching career began at K-State as a graduate assistant from 2020-21. His return is a testament to Klein’s philosophy: “it’s family business.”
Ellsworth is confident about the Wildcats' quarterback position, asserting that it stands out nationally. “It's a position at K-State that has a rich tradition of success and history,” he shared. “It’s a tremendous honor.”
Avery Johnson: A Rising Star
Ellsworth is full of praise for Avery Johnson, the third-year quarterback who started all of last season for the Wildcats. “I think he’s one of the best in the country,” Ellsworth remarked. “There’s a lot of work left to prove that, but we have all the pieces aligned to get that done.”
Johnson’s journey, which began in 2023, saw him initially backing up former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who later led Ohio State to a national title in 2024. Johnson chose to stay put, and over the past two seasons, he’s thrown for 43 touchdowns and over 5,000 yards, with a 59% completion rate in 2025.
Last season, Johnson ranked 11th in the Big 12 in passing, trailing Utah's Devon Dampier. His quarterback rating of 146.8 placed him among the top five starters in his position.
“It’s been awesome watching [Johnson] grow as a leader on and off the field,” Ellsworth noted. “He’s incredibly smart, [and] he wants to be challenged as well.”
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The Wildcats are set to host seven home games this season, including the much-anticipated return of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown to Manhattan. Kansas State will welcome Houston, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Arizona.
Nonconference matchups feature Nicholls, Washington State, and Tulane. The road schedule includes games against Cincinnati, Arizona State, Colorado, TCU, and Iowa State.
As the Wildcats prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on the quarterback room, where the blend of new coaching talent and promising players like Avery Johnson promise to make waves.