Avery Johnson needs no introduction. The quarterback from Wichita, Kansas, is one of the best quarterback recruits the Wildcats have had in years, if not the best. A former four-star recruit, Johnson made a buzz since he joined the Wildcats last year. The gifted QB snagged the MVP award at the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, taking down NC State while making it to the headlines and the hearts of Kansas State fans. Not only that, Johnson killed it on the field, completing 23 of 35 passes with a solid 65.7% completion rate. The QB racked up 301 yards, averaging 8.6 yards per throw, and hit the end zone three times without a single interception. With his longest pass hitting 43 yards, he wrapped things up with a rating of 166.2—that’s the future of Kansas State football right there, people!

If you STILL have not seen my boy Johnson wreaking havoc on the gridiron, let me tell you that Johnson is fast, really fast on the field. Don’t believe me? Well, even NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson did not know it that well when he was preparing his squad for its game against KS. Gibson knew Johnson was fast, but how fast was he? Well, this is what coordinator Gibson said about Johnson’s speed. “He’s really dangerous,” Gibson told during an interview about Johnson, who replaced Howard when the latter entered the portal last season. “He’s got elite speed. That kid can freakin’ go. He is like fast fast. We got guys that can run, and he killed us in the bowl game,” recalled Gibson. ” He further doubled down on his statement, saying, “He’s gonna be a handful for people to defend.” Johnson is mad fast on the field and will be leading the offense this fall. But before you catch him play against UT Martin on September 1, here’s everything you need to know about the quarterback’s academic journey.

Johnson has always been balling

It all started at Maize High School in Wichita, Kansas. While he fared just fine in his academics, Johnson excelled in athletics especially, baseball, basketball, and well, football. If he saw any ball, he would either want to throw it, hit it, or pass it through the hoop. Gary Guzman recognized Johnson’s prowess in the gridiron and coached him to become one of the best QBs in the country. Guzman was right as Rivals had him pegged as the top dual-threat quarterback in his class, while 247Sports rated him No. 85 overall and No. 9 among QBs. Emerging as the top player in Kansas for the Class of 2023, Johnson even took it up a notch and made it to the Elite 11 Finals as a quarterback in 2022-K-State’s first in almost twenty years, since Josh Freeman in 2005. The quarterback spent a significant time on the road as he traveled all over the map, playing in the U.S. Army Bowl in Texas, and the Under Armour All-America Game in Florida. Johnson also kept filling up his trophy cabinet with prestigious awards like Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps Kansas Player of the Year, and Wichita Eagle Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

In his senior year at Maize High School, Johnson dominated the gridiron, throwing for 2,768 yards and 29 touchdowns with just three picks, while also rushing for 817 yards and 15 scores on 98 carries, leading his team to a 12-1 record and a sub-state championship. He was not only named the league’s offensive MVP but was also selected as a first-team all-state performer as both a junior and senior by Sports in Kansas and the Wichita Eagle. That’s SOME achievements. With the plans to handle both the football playbook and the business world, Johnson is currently majoring in business administration. From balancing the touchdowns with textbooks, Johnson is surely thriving at K-State.

Johnson is taking over the offensive line this fall

Johnson had won over the K-State football coach Chris Klieman the moment he stepped in Manhattan, Kansas, as a true freshman. According to Klieman, the Wildcats’ starting QB for the season “had an it factor”. “You can tell the guys that have it factors, and the confidence but not arrogance,” remarked Klieman. Johnson, however, didn’t need to win the starting job to show off his “it” factor that Klieman spotted during recruitment. That’s exactly why Klieman didn’t think twice about bringing him to Las Vegas as one of K-State’s five reps at Big 12 media days.

Johnson will be taking over the offensive line as the captain and he has been preparing hard for that. “Just trying to be more vocal and get in front of the guys whenever I get the chance and just continue to lead by example, and just doing my best to gain everybody’s trust,” Johnson said. “I feel like the biggest thing is whenever adversity strikes, whether that’s in the weight room or struggling in the warmup or practice, a run, whatever it might be, just get in front of the team and being vocal and encouraging guys.” As the QB takes on the leadership role this season, it will be exciting to see how the Wildcats leader matches with his big league rivals.