Kansas State Wildcats Facing Possibility Of QB Avery Johnson Era Being Over

Quarterback has arguably been the most stable position for the Kansas State Wildcats the last three seasons. 

That's because the Wildcats always knew they could count on Avery Johnson being in the starting lineup. There is, however, a chance that his days as a Wildcat could be over. On Monday, first-year coach Collin Klein announced Johnson would not play in Saturday's game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

He then hinted there was only a small chance Johnson could return this season. A senior, Johnson is facing the end of his collegiate career. 

"There is definitely reality to when you lose a leader like that, one of your best players like that, that has an effect," Klein said during his weekly press conference. 

This will mark the third straight game Johnson is sidelined. He last played when the Wildcats defeated the rival Kansas Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown Oct. 17 in Manhattan. At the time, everything seemed headed in the right direction for Johnson and the Wildcats. 

They were 4-2 and Johnson appeared on the way continuing the best season of his career. And then things went south in a hurry. Johnson sustained an undisclosed injury that has turned the K-State quarterback room upside down. 

When junior Blake Barnett starts against Oklahoma State, it will mark the fourth starting quarterback in four games. Last week, it was Dillon Duff. The week before, it was Jacob Knuth. 

It all seems so weird considering the amount of stability the Wildcats the past three seasons. Johnson was the full-time starter since 2024. He started 32 straight games before the injury. 

He has completed 118 of 187 passes for 1,301 yards and 10 touchdowns against three interceptions. He was on pace to surpass his sophomore season when he threw for 2,712 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

Johnson was also on the way to placing his name all over the K-State record book. Now, the chances of that happening are slim. The only hope for Johnson is the NCAA's new fifth year of eligibility rule, which he could petition for after the season. While this was supposed to be the year Johnson entertained NFL scouts, he may need to come back for another season if he wants to play at the next level. 

Regardless, Johnson should go down as a top five quarterback in school history, joining the likes of Klein, Michael Bishop, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson. It's just a shame that he could be on the verge of ending it on the injured list. 

Still, it doesn't take away from what he has accomplished in Manhattan.