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Chris Klieman alludes to teams attempted tampering with QB Avery Johnson

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko07/08/25nickkosko59
USATSI_25067858 (1)
Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Chris Klieman alluded to potential tampering of quarterback Avery Johnson over the last transfer portal cycle. The Kansas State star quarterback likely would’ve had no small list of suitors if he decided to go elsewhere.

But the hometown kid wanted to stay put since the day he committed to the school. But Klieman knows he was, or would’ve been, sought after.

He made the point when talking about building a culture around the Wildcats starting from the high school level. It was important to him to maintain continuity and Johnson is a prime example.

“For starters, we’re still going to be a high school based team,” Klieman said on the ESPNU broadcast of Big 12 Media Days. “We’re going to go out and get the best high school kids in a 500 mile radius and get those kids to be in the program for three, four and five years. That’s how you develop a culture. That’s how you sustain success.

“Then you sprinkle in the transfers, but we have to win in state. And Avery Johnson’s the prime example of a kid that had everybody, and had a chance to go all over the place, and stayed in state to play for his home state, and had chances to leave.” 

ESPN host Matt Barrie then asked Klieman if Johnson was tampered with during the transfer portal season. Klieman didn’t exactly say no!

“I’m sure he has. He wants to stay,” Klieman said. “And you come to a K State football game, and you’re going to have half the crowd in Avery Johnson jerseys, and probably the other half and Dylan Edwards jerseys, and now you’re going to throw Lincoln Cure in there. You can have another third of those guys in Lincoln Cure jerseys.”

As a sophomore, Johnson threw for 2,712 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 58.3% completion percentage. He also ran for 605 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Johnson was a four-star recruit out of Maize (Kan.) High, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 9 quarterback in the class and the No. 104 overall prospect in the class.

As far as his Heisman odds are concerned, Johnson has 50-1 odds to win the award this season. It’s the same as Utah’s Devon Dampier and better than Tennessee’ Joey Aguilar, USC’s Jaden Maiava and Auburn’s Jackson Arnold.