Avery Johnson’s decision to play at Kansas State has gone exactly as expected. A Kansas native out of Maize High School, Johnson showed from the jump that he had the makings of something special.
Fast forward just a couple of seasons later, and Johnson found himself backing up Will Howard – a 2024 Heisman finalist and national champion with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Now, heading into his second year as the starter, it’s become increasingly clear why Kansas State handed him the keys to its kingdom.
Avery Johnson Headlining a Deeper QB Room at Kansas State
Johnson got his first taste of action against Southeast Missouri State ahead of conference play in 2023. It took time, but by the Pop-Tarts Bowl against NC State, he had earned enough reps to record his first game with double-digit completion totals.
Like most talented young quarterbacks, he didn’t step into the starting role right away. That job belonged to Howard, and rightfully so. Having been with the Wildcats football program since 2020, he was already in his third season as the starter when Johnson arrived. Beating out someone like that for the starting role in your first year – that would be borderline wild.
As an upperclassman, Howard delivered steady production, too. Over his final two seasons with the Wildcats, he completed touchdown passes in all but four games. It wasn’t until his departure to Ohio State that things began to shift, and for both programs.
Howard’s success immediately translated for the Buckeyes, but back in Manhattan, it was Johnson’s time. Needless to say, he didn’t waste it, either.
In his first start of 2024, Johnson completed 14 passes on 21 attempts for 153 yards. That figure jumped to 298 yards that season against West Virginia before starting and winning his second bowl game against Rutgers.
Johnson hasn’t just produced wins – he’s earned the respect of the coaching staff. New quarterbacks coach Christian Anderson has been effusive in his praise of the fourth-year standout. Still, Johnson isn’t alone in that space. He’ll have some competition come time for Spring camps.
Who Steps Up for Kansas State if Avery Johnson Is Injured?
Johnson is one of four quarterbacks on the Kansas State roster entering Spring camp. He stands the second-tallest at 6’3” behind redshirt senior Jacob Knuth, and right in line with sophomore Blake Barnett and redshirt freshman Dillon Duff.
Even though the pecking order isn’t set this season, one thing is clear – right now, Johnson is the obvious frontrunner for the starting role. Don’t look away from the other four, though. The talent behind Johnson might surprise you.
It starts with Barnett. Entering his sophomore season, Barnett has become an early favorite to occupy the backup role. His story, like Johnson’s at the start of his career, goes beyond just purple and White.
During his prep career, he threw for 7,518 yards and 88 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 3,420 yards and 68 scores. According to his bio, he’s also a three-time letter winner in track and a two-year player in basketball.
Should anything happen to Johnson, he’s the guy to watch for. But what about the other three? That conversation is a little more complicated.
Very Limited Information Available on Jacob Knuth, Dillon Duff
There was only one appearance made all of last season for Knuth, and it was in the Wildcats’ 42-17 road victory against the Kansas Jayhawks. In last season’s Sunflower Showdown, he recorded two carries for 45 yards, did not attempt a pass, and exited with a quarterback rating of 100.
The previous season, he attempted just two passes, both of which were completions for 9 yards. The first came in non-conference play against UT Martin, and the other on the road at BYU. He also logged just three rushing attempts, totaling 18 yards across those two appearances.
As for Duff, he’s listed as a redshirt freshman. The St. Louis native won’t get his first taste of action until camp gets underway. During his recruiting process, Duff was listed as the 10th-best prospect in the state of Missouri.
He won consecutive football district championships during his time at De Smet Jesuit, and he appeared in the state semifinals both his sophomore and junior seasons. He might not have the experience of Barnett, but he’s definitely got the size and stature of a quarterback.
Give either one of them the opportunity to start in place of Johnson, and the results won’t look any different. If anything, they should speak for themselves.
Main Photo: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
