True freshman Avery Johnson drawing comparisons to Lamar Jackson

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson has not had many reps at the Power Five level. But the true freshman quarterback is already drawing comparisons to former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.

KSO’s Derek Young was on Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples’ podcast and discussed the highly-regarded freshman.

“There’s been some comps thrown out and some of them I probably don’t fully agree with,” Young said. “I hate the comparison game because you’re never going to hit it 100% and you’re going to feel like there might be a better one out there. But the Lamar Jackson one is not crazy just because you are talking about straight line speed with some wiggle and a guy that’s probably known for his legs more than his arm. But if you underrate his arm, he will catch you. You’re probably going to see that at some point — maybe this week.”

Johnson was the No. 104 overall recruit and No. 9 quarterback in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The dual-threat quarterback earned his first major opportunity this past weekend versus Texas Tech and rose to the occasion. Splitting reps with Will Howard in the first half and then taking over in the second half, Johnson ran the ball 13 times for 90 yards and five rushing touchdowns while completing 8 of 9 passes for 77 yards.

The five touchdowns tied a Kansas State record for rushing touchdowns in a single game. The five rushing touchdowns were also the most by one player in a college football game this season.

That ability to run with the ball and score points is one of the main reasons people are comparing Johnson and Jackson.

“The speed and the elusiveness and the ability to make guys miss everyone’s like Lamar Jackson was in a league of his own on that,” Young said. “He is from what we know at this point and then maybe Michael Vick before him of course. If you go back into the recruiting world, they do the Nike spark score. Avery Johnson is almost 20 points higher than Lamar Jackson. So we’re not out of this world when we’re comparing the two. The arm is there. Avery Johnson, his arm might be further along now than what Lamar Jackson’s was. But we’ll see if we get to see that as the year goes on.”