ESPN dropped its latest college football quarterback predictions for all Power Four teams in 2026.
And to no surprise, they project that senior signal-caller Avery Johnson will be under center for Kansas State next season.
The article wrote:
"New coach Collin Klein recruited Johnson to Manhattan as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator. Now he'll get to build around the senior in his first year leading his alma mater. The return of Klein should be a big positive for a 26-game starter and proven dual-threat talent who's looking to take his game to another level in his final season."
The Wildcats have decent depth at the position, but neither poses a real threat to Johnson's starting role.
"Barring any portal attrition, Kansas State is working with really solid depth behind Johnson. The Wildcats have two returning backups in Blake Barnett and Jacob Knuth, and two young scholarship QBs behind them in Dillon Duff and incoming four-star signee Miles Teodecki," the article wrote.
There was a bit of speculation about Johnson's departure. A huge chunk of last season's stars left after coach Chris Klieman retired, and some projected the signal-caller could follow as well. An underwhelming 2025 season for both Johnson and the program could have influenced him to explore elsewhere. However, he announced his return earlier this month, citing unfinished business as his motivation.
Johnson and coach Collin Klein will likely want to wash away last year with a return to relevance in 2026.
"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."
JEROME TANG UNLEASHES ON NCAA RULES AMID TERRIBLE BIG 12 START
Amid a 1-7 Big 12 start, frustrations are starting to boil over for Kansas State.
Including coach Jerome Tang. His seat is simmering hot amid another season where his team will likely miss the NCAA Tournament. Tang is now turning to the league rules for the Wildcats' difficult start.
"As the head coach and CEO of this program, [it's on me] to put together a team and build a program that will be on that [competitive] level year in and year out. I haven’t figured that out yet because they keep changing the rules on me," Tang said in his West Virginia postgame interview. "Once they get the rules set, then I can have a consistent plan. There are three guys who should be on my roster right now but aren't. And that's not even the guys who were injured."