4-star 2023 quarterback Avery Johnson picks up Missouri offer
Maize (Kan.) High quarterback Avery Johnson has solidified himself as one of the premier players in the Midwest in 2023. The consensus four-star signal caller holds more than 15 offers, and on Monday, he added Missouri to that list.
Johnson tweeted: “blessed and excited to receive an offer from the University of Missouri” and tagged head coach Eli Drinkwitz and tight ends coach Casey Woods.
His latest offers comes in addition to ones from Arizona, Auburn, Florida State, Ole Miss, Notre Dame and others. He spent last weekend visiting nearby Kansas State and also visited Arkansas earlier this season and Missouri over the summer.
As a sophomore in 2020, Johnson completed 117 of 207 passes for 2,109 yards and 25 touchdowns, along with 10 more scores on the ground.
He’s put together another impressive campaign this season, including an epic performance this past weekend. The 6-foot-2, 170-pounder finished with 287 passing yards, 104 more on the ground and four total touchdowns. But the most impressive moment might’ve come on a third-down scramble.
Midway through the fourth quarter on a 3rd and 5, a botched snap went over Johnson’s head. But he recovers the ball, makes multiple defenders miss and secures a key first down. Maize, though, lost the game 42-41 to Derby (Kan.), the No. 1-ranked team in the state.
Missouri looking for first 2023 commit
The Tigers have yet to notch any commitments for the 2023 class, but Drinkwitz is putting together arguably the best single recruiting class in school history this cycle. Missouri’s 2022 crop ranks No. 18 nationally and No. 6 in the SEC. Drinkwitz and Co. have landed four On300 prospects and are one of two major contenders for the commitment of top-100 wide receiver Luther Burden.
Landing a quarterback like Avery Johnson in 2023 could set the stage for another record-breaking class.