Avery Johnson’s explosive play deserves more than No. 5 in Big 12 rankings

With a season full of highlight-reel plays and rising draft stock, Avery Johnson’s placement as only the No. 5 Big 12 quarterback in College Football Report’s rankings came as a surprise to many.

Despite his breakout 2024, Johnson trails a handful of Big 12 QBs heading into 2025.

The dual-threat junior led Kansas State to a 9–4 record in his first year as starter and opens the season against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.

Johnson ranks behind Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Iowa State’s Rocco Becht and TCU’s Josh Hoover.

ESPN, however, recently named him a top 2026 draft prospect.

Johnson ranks sixth in career passing efficiency (137.2), ninth in passing yards per game (152.0), tied for ninth in touchdown passes (30), and tied for 10th in total touchdowns responsible for (44). He’s 186 rushing yards shy of joining K-State’s top 10 rushing QBs.

With 10 career wins, Johnson is tied for 10th among K-State QBs since 1990, and his 71.4% winning percentage ranks seventh among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts.

Despite losing key receivers Keagan Johnson, Tre Spivey III and Dante Cephus, K-State added transfers Jerand Bradley, Caleb Medford and Jaron Tibbs. Jayce Brown, the 2024 leading receiver, returns, along with a deep tight end group featuring Garrett Oakley, Will Swanson, Brayden Loftin and freshman Linkon Cure.

“He’s just got that aura about him,” coach Chris Klieman said. “He’s not afraid to lead and hold guys accountable. He’s embraced the role and taken it to the next level.”

K-State opens as a contender, ranked No. 12 in USA Today’s preseason Top 25, No. 16 in Joel Klatt’s FOX Sports rankings, and No. 21 in ESPN’s Football Power Index—the highest Big 12 team in the model.

The Wildcats went 5–4 in conference last year and finished with a 44–41 bowl win over Rutgers.

The stage is set for Johnson and Kansas State to prove why they belong among the Big 12’s elite this year.