Football never stops, even when the season does. For Avery Johnson, Kansas State’s rising star quarterback, the grind toward 2025 is already well underway. There are weights to lift, film to study, and mechanics to refine. Yet, sometimes you find moments where football takes a backseat and emotions become more important than the playbook. Thursday was one of those days for the #2 Wildcat, as he took a step away from the Wildcats’ preparation to remember someone who shaped his life far beyond the field.

The 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP shared a couple of Instagram stories today. However, this one would bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Amid his rigorous offseason training, Avery Johnson shared a heartfelt Instagram story, a snapshot of the past with his late grandmother. Today being her special day, her birthday. His caption was simple, yet deeply felt: “Happy birthday grandma, love you and miss you.” #2 grew up in Wichita, Kansas, and attended Maize High School. He played baseball and basketball in addition to football at Maize.

For Avery Johnson, his sophomore season carries weight far beyond his personal growth as a quarterback. Under year 6, HC Chris Klieman, the Wildcats finished a respectable 9-4 in 2024 after the 44-41 Rate Bowl victory over Rutgers. But their late-season stumble—dropping three of their last four games—derailed any actual shot at a Big 12 title. Their redemption tour in 2025 will rest heavily on Johnson’s arm and legs, the same ones that produced 2,712 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and another 605 yards on the ground.

The 6’2, 188-pounder QB1’s ability to create magic on the fly, extend plays, and lead with poise has K-State fans hopeful that he’s the one to take them from good to great. And if the Pop-Tarts Bowl was any indication, Johnson is more than ready. Against Rutgers, he showed both his playmaking ability and resilience, going 15-of-30 for 195 yards, three touchdowns, and a pick—numbers that only scratch the surface of his impact that day.

Still, the road ahead is full of challenges. The Wildcats’ offensive system will be tailored even more around Johnson’s strengths, blending tempo with his dual-threat capabilities. Defenses will have a full year of film on him, meaning he’ll need to elevate his pre-snap reads and decision-making to stay ahead.

And just as quickly as he allowed himself to pause, Johnson was back to work. His other Instagram stories later that afternoon made it clear: the moment of reflection was over, and it was time…

Avery Johnson is hungry!

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson isn’t wasting any time. Soon after giving a tribute to his dear grandma, Johnson made it clear—he’s already locked in for 2025. On Thursday afternoon, he posted a simple but powerful message on his Instagram story: “Back to work.”

And that’s exactly what Kansas State fans want to hear.

The Wildcats are expected to take a major step forward next season, with multiple “way-too-early” rankings placing them in the preseason Top 25. Johnson, now entering his junior year, is also expected to elevate his game after a sophomore campaign that had its ups and downs. According to FanDuel, he’s already one of the Big 12 players with the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy.

If his social media post wasn’t enough motivation, Johnson’s comments after Kansas State’s Rate Bowl victory should do the trick: “I think we can be a really talented team. In the future, I feel like we can play for a Big 12 championship and win it—and then play in the College Football Playoffs. It’s just a lot of unfinished business here at Kansas State.”