The Kansas State Wildcats are entering a new era of football, set to begin very soon, with first-time head coach Collin Klein ready to take the bull by the horns. After seven solid years coaching the Cats to a 54-34 record and five bowl game appearances (3-2 record), Chris Klieman retired last December, handing the reins over to Klein.
From 2017-23, Klein served as K-State's quarterbacks coach as well as offensive coordinator from 2022-23. Much of any football team's success comes down to its QB play, and for K-State, it's no different. For the past two seasons, Avery Johnson has been the team's signal-caller and has done a fine job, but left much on the plate this past year.
The Wildcats went 9-4 in 2024, but worsened to 6-6 the following season, much to do with Johnson's drop in play. A duel-threat passer and runner, Johnson threw for over 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns in '24 to go along with 605 yards on the ground and seven more scores.
Then in 2025, his numbers sank to under 2,400 passing yards, 18 TD passes, and less than 500 yards rushing. Perhaps some of that could be explained by a worse-off situation without superstar half-back DJ Giddens to help take pressure off the young QB, but either way, Johnson needs to put together a strong senior year, and HC Klein has expressed his excitement in that very outcome.
Johnson could in store for a senior-season explosion
"I would argue some of his best attributes are not physical. I know everyone sees how fast he is; everybody sees the arm talent. He's one of the best competitors I've been around," Klein said of Johnson, courtesy of On3 Insider Brett McMurphy.
For Klein to praise not just Johnson's physical attributes, which are clearly a tick above most of his positional peers, but also his mental drive, is a step in the right direction in fueling a quality HC-QB relationship. And Klein has had success with rushing QBs, as recently as his two years at Texas A&M in 2024-25, coaching up Marcel Reed to nearly 3,200 passing yards and 25 TD throws last season, not to mention over 1,000 yards on the ground during Klein's two years there.
Johnson is much bigger than the 6'1", 185 lb Reed at 6'3", and nearly 200 lbs with 4.4 40-yard dash speed. The athleticism pops off the field, and that should only get better with another year of college-level weight rooms, nutrition, and training. But the mental side with Johnson is where the improvement needs to come, and it seems Klein is liking what he sees so far.
Johnson's command of the offense and his overall leadership on the 2026 K-State Wildcats will have a larger impact than any other on their season. If Johnson can grow into a star, and Klein, with his new coaching staff, can figure out the rest, it may boost the Wildcats to their first double-digit win season since 2022.
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