Last season, Kansas State was favored by many to take the Big 12 and potentially clinch a spot in the postseason.
They're a little more cautious this time around. A rollercoaster 2025 season, followed by an offseason with significant star losses, has many resorting the Wildcats back to a mid-tier team this August. CBS Sports gave its early Big 12 rankings for next season, placing Kansas State at No. 9. Texas Tech and BYU are the favorites to win the conference in 2026.
The article wrote:
"Quarterback Avery Johnson had a disappointing second season, but help is on the way in the form of new coach Collin Klein. Klein was central to recruiting Johnson under Chris Klieman and now has a chance to put his stamp on the program. The defense lost a great deal of talent to the transfer portal, though, so competing at the highest level could come with complications to start."
Quarterback Avery Johnson dipped in production, star players suffered major injuries, and the offensive line had no cohesion. And that's not even getting into the defensive lapses. The lackluster defense and fading rushing attack took away staples of Kansas State's program identity.
Without these, much of the weight shouldered on breakout performances by Johnson that just never came to fruition. He ended the season with 2,835 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing for 477 yards and eight touchdowns. Many pegged the Wildcats' success on Johnson's elevation, but his passing game remained stagnant while his rushing numbers dipped as well.
The primary offensive attacks were centered on wide receiver Jayce Brown and running back Joe Jackson, who didn't even emerge until late in the season. The defense couldn't stop the rush upfront, which in turn made the secondary vulnerable.
Kansas State ushered in program legend Collin Klein to take over as the next head coach, but a return to relevance will be difficult. Following up on a shaky season gets even gloomier with several stars leaving. Brown, Tobi Osunsanmi, and Austin Romaine are just a few of the names that exited Manhattan, KS, for bigger schools across the country.
Still, Klein and Johnson have high ambitions for the program in the quarterback's final season with the team. He quoted "unfinished business" as the motive for his return.
"After a lot of prayer, conversations with my family, and talks with my coaches, I've made the decision to return to Kansas State for my final year," Johnson said on Jan. 2 via social media. "There is unfinished business here, and I'm not done yet. This place, this program, and this fanbase mean everything to me."