Avery Johnson 'committed' to Kansas State, plans to speak with family about his future

The Kansas State Wildcats ended their season on a positive note, beating Colorado to get bowl-eligible. Still, in a year when the expectation was that star quarterback Avery Johnson would have the Wildcats competing for a Big 12 Championship, it was a letdown of a season.

Now, heading into the offseason, Kansas State is facing numerous questions. In particular, what the future may hold for Johnson. After all, in the modern era, player movement is a reality and star quarterbacks are going to be in high demand once again this offseason.

“Just being a Kansas kid and coming to K-State and playing for Coach [Chris] Klieman has been great up to this point,” Avery Johnson said. “Like you said, there’s going to be question marks and this that and the other. I mean, obviously, there’s things that are going to be taken into account, but there’s no doubt in my mind I want to play for Coach Klieman and this is the place I want to be.”

Avery Johnson is a native of Maize, Kansas. There, he was a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023. He had been the 104th-ranked player overall and the ninth-ranked quarterback in that recruiting cycle, making him a massive addition for Kansas State. He’s been the team’s starter for the last two seasons.

In 2025, Johnson completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,385 yards and 18 touchdowns to six interceptions. Notably, both his passing yards per game and touchdown percentage are down from a season ago in the passing game. On the other hand, his interceptions were also down. A dual threat quarterback, Johnson also rushed for 477 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s fewer yards per game rushing than a season ago, though an improvement on his rushing touchdown total.

“Just things I gotta talk to my family about and pray about,” Johnson said. “But I’m committed to this place, and I love this place more than anything in the world. So, definitely something I’m going to sit down with my family about tomorrow, but yeah.”

With the win over Colorado, Kansas State has another game to get ready for with their upcoming bowl. That doesn’t have to be Johnson’s last game with the Wildcats, but it very well could. Now, at the end of his junior season, he’s able to go into the NFL Draft. That’s if he doesn’t choose to transfer for whatever reason, be it NIL opportunities, the scheme he wants to play in, or improving his NFL Draft stock.

This year, the Transfer Portal is moving to January. That window will be the only time it opens as well. So, Johnson does have about a month to think about his future and have those difficult discussions about what to do next.