Kansas State continues to make moves in the transfer portal, and this latest addition is another big one-literally and figuratively. Former Auburn offensive tackle Tyler Johnson has committed to the Wildcats, becoming the second SEC lineman to head to Manhattan this offseason.
At 6-foot-6 and 323 pounds, Johnson brings serious size to a Kansas State offensive line that’s clearly being retooled with both depth and upside in mind. He joins Keiton Jones, a former Missouri lineman, as part of a growing group of trench reinforcements for the Wildcats.
Johnson’s time at Auburn didn’t include a ton of on-field action, but there’s still plenty to unpack. His most significant reps came early in the 2024 season, when he was in the mix for the starting left tackle job.
He actually got the nod for the first two games, including a high-profile matchup against Cal. That game, however, proved to be a turning point.
According to Pro Football Focus, Johnson allowed five pressures on just six pass-blocking snaps-a rough outing that led to a quick change. After that, he saw only nine more offensive snaps the rest of the year, with Auburn turning to Ole Miss transfer Percy Lewis instead.
Still, Johnson’s potential is hard to ignore. A former four-star recruit out of Natchitoches Central in Louisiana, he came out of high school with offers from Baylor, Texas Tech, Houston, Missouri, and more. He was a multi-sport athlete, too-playing basketball and competing in powerlifting, which gives you a sense of his athletic profile and raw strength.
At Auburn, Johnson was seen as more of a long-term project than an instant-impact player. Now, with two years of eligibility left and a fresh start at Kansas State, he’s stepping into a program that has both the need and the infrastructure to help him develop. The Wildcats return John Pastore and George Fitzpatrick at tackle, giving them some flexibility as they figure out how Johnson fits into the mix.
He’s now the sixth offensive lineman to commit to Kansas State this cycle, joining Jones, Tanner Morley (Colorado State), Delvin Morris (Akron), Chase Duarte (San Diego State), and Charlie Adams III (Cal Poly). That’s a clear signal: the Wildcats are investing heavily up front, and they’re not just looking for bodies-they’re looking for competition, potential, and long-term growth.
Johnson may not arrive in Manhattan as a finished product, but with his size, athletic background, and SEC experience, he’s the kind of player who could turn into a key piece down the road. For a Kansas State team looking to build a wall in front of its next quarterback, this is another step in the right direction.