The controversy surrounding Kansas State football’s quarterback during the previous several seasons is ended.
Everyone agrees that sophomore Avery Johnson is the guy, barring a major breakdown or other unanticipated event.
Johnson, a true freshman who challenged starter Will Howard throughout the previous season until he hit the transfer portal and helped the Wildcats win the Pop-Tarts Bowl, is prepared to assume permanent leadership in 2024.
Following the loss of Howard and two reserves to the transfer portal, the Wildcats’ lack of experienced depth at quarterback was a worry before the bowl game. Ta’Quan Roberson, a graduate transfer from Connecticut, was signed by the Wildcats to address that after the conclusion of spring practice.
Both true freshman Blake Barnett, who enrolled early and took part in spring exercises, and sophomore Jacob Knuth, a walk-on transfer from Minnesota the previous season, return as backups.
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The quarterback position for Kansas State entering the 2024 campaign is shown here.
Related: Dylan Ewards and DJ Giddens provide a powerful one-two punch to the Kansas State football running game
As the new starter, Avery Johnson is the center of attention.
During last December’s Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) tosses a ball while being pursued by Devon Betty (26) of North Carolina State.
During his limited 2023 opportunities, Johnson, a fan favorite since coming from Maize High School last year, showed glimpses of what may be in store.
Johnson’s standout performance was at Texas Tech, where he ran for five touchdowns in a Wildcat victory after replacing a struggling Howard. Additionally, he took over as the Pop-Tarts Bowl starter and was awarded the game’s most valuable player as K-State won 28-19.
Johnson played in eight games this season, running for 296 yards and seven touchdowns and completing 56.1% of his throws for 479 yards and five touchdowns.
The team’s quickest player and dual threat, Johnson, made the most impression when he ran the ball, but new quarterbacks coach Matt Wells called him an underappreciated thrower.
Wells said, “I think maybe just how consistent of a passer he is,” when asked in the spring if there was anything about Johnson that shocked him. “That certainly is not talked about, I don’t think, enough.”
Related: Ta’Quan Roberson, a transfer from UConn, gives Kansas State football depth at quarterback
Ta’Quan Roberson, a veteran, offers important insurance.
Because no one behind Johnson had any game experience, K-State coach Chris Klieman acknowledged that the Wildcats were cautious with him in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. In May, they signed Roberson, a known commodity.
Roberson, who signed up for the portal shortly before the May 1 deadline, started 10 of UConn’s games and completed 58.2% of his passes for 2,075 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 games last season.
After transferring from Penn State, Roberson earned the starting position for the Huskies in 2022, but he was injured in the first game of the season. Roberson saved the day when UConn’s starter had a similar situation last year.
When UConn signed former Oklahoma and Wisconsin quarterback Nick Evers in the spring, Roberson’s 2024 status was in doubt, so he had to go through the portal.
Blake Barnett and Jacob Knuth complete the quarterback room.
After redshirting as a freshman in 2022, Knuth left Minnesota to continue his career with the Wildcats after being recruited by K-State out of high school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Prior to being promoted to the No. 2 slot for the bowl game, he mostly played with the scout team throughout the previous season.
Despite missing a large portion of the spring due to an injury, Barnett enrolled early and was the top-ranked high school athlete in Colorado in 2024. During his time in high school in Colorado, he carried for 3,420 yards and threw for 7,518 yards.
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