Kansas State's Collin Klein Makes Firm Stance Regarding NCAA Age-Based Eligibility Model

Among the biggest stories this offseason the NCAA's decision to implement the five-year for college athletes. 

It basically allows them to play for five years after they turn the age of 19. While some have been against it, first-year Kansas State Wildcats coach Collin Klein is in favor of it. He spoke about it in advance of the Wildcats' season opener Saturday night against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan. 

"I think it's a really, really good thing for college football," Klein said. "It keeps players from getting caught in a corner of what's best for the team is not what's best for them. That was at odds at times when you have to say, 'Hey, for us to win this ballgame, you need to play this many snaps and this many games, and that takes away a year for you."'

The new ruling is especially important for the Wildcats because it could affect quarterback Avery Johnson. He is a senior but could potentially return for another season under the new rules. Johnson hasn't commented on it yet because he is focused on the now, but it could mean another year for him with the Wildcats. 

It makes more sense considering his relationship with Klein, who played a key role in recruiting him to K-State. Johnson is in his third year as the full-time starter, but is hoping to improve his NFL draft stock. Most analysts are projecting him as a seventh-round pick. If he doesn't have a strong season this year, he could surely benefit from another year in college. 

Johnson was a four-star recruit coming out of Maize High School in the Wichita area. After a strong sophomore season for the Wildcats, he struggled with inconsistency last year as a junior. It resulted in a 6-6 season but the hope is things get turned around in Klein's first year. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

Why Collin Klein is trying to get everybody involved at tight end and running back

It appears K-State legend Bill Snyder created one of the most controversial plays in NFL

Why Kansas State should have better start to the season than last year

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]