Spring practices rarely define a season in Manhattan, but this year, they might. With key position battles unfolding and development still in progress, the Kansas State Wildcats are offering an early glimpse of what fans might expect when Bill Snyder Family Stadium fills back up this fall.
Avery Johnson’s return to Kansas State football already paying dividends in 2026
It wouldn't be a true season for the Wildcats without fourth-year senior and starting quarterback Avery Johnson taking the snaps. So far, there isn't any implication that he won't earn the starting role when Sep. 5 rolls around.
But while it's great to see Johnson coming back, it's fair to ask some questions, specifically if he can step it up from last season's 2,000+ yard performance.
Johnson's numbers didn’t quite match his first year as the starter in 2024. If anything, there was a slight drop-off. He completed 204 passes for 2,385 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. By comparison, in 2025, Johnson threw for more than 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns, though he also had 10 interceptions.
Over the past two seasons, he has been sacked 13 times but has still shown mobility, recording at least five rushing touchdowns in each. On the ground, Johnson totaled 477 yards and eight touchdowns last season, down from the 605 yards he rushed for two years earlier.
He's already earned praise from first-year Wildcats quarterbacks coach Christian Anderson, and appears trending in the right direction. If the ceiling is high, Johnson can't regress for the third straight year.
Linkon Cure among other Wildcats returning at tight end
The tight end position is rarely a spot to make headlines at Kansas State, but the return of sophomore Linkon Cure has the potential of turning into something special. Cure wasn't a standout receiver by any means in 2025, and saw minimal action if any. Likewise, that's old news.
In his freshman season, Cure only caught six passes for 37 yards. The majority of starting reps went to then-junior Garrett Oakley, who led the room with 38 receptions and 389 yards. Oakley was also one of just seven receivers to average 10+ yards per catch.
Oakley is currently listed on the Wildcats 2026 roster, and could still see the majority of targets, at least later in the season. Earlier reports by the Manhattan Mercury slate Cure as preparing for a "sophomore breakout" season under first-year head coach Collin Klein.
Running back room also worth noting
Unless you've been living under a rock since November, it's no secret that former Wildcats running back Dylan Edwards is now a Jayhawk. Due to Edwards' injury battles last season, then-sophomore Joe Jackson received a majority of the starts.
Kansas State RB Joe Jackson breaks the school record with 293 rushing yards in the loss to No. 12 Utah 👀 pic.twitter.com/MTVzIcCKbC
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 23, 2025
In his place, he didn't disappoint. Jackson broke the Wildcats' single-game rushing record in the 51-47 loss against Utah, a game primarily overshadowed by the emoiton showed by former head coach Chris Klieman at its conclusion.
Sure, Jackson is back, but so are a number of other transfers. Oregon transfer Jay Harris, former Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields and Memphis transfer Makari Bodiford make up a handful of new additions, just to name a few.
Who could get the starting nod when September comes around is likely still up in the air, but will arguably be the most competitive on the offensive side of the ball.
Where's the ceiling, and where's the floor?
Welcoming Johnson back does a lot for the Wildcats, and sets the ceiling high. He's one of the elite quarterbacks in the Big 12 Conference, and has proven that throughout the last few seasons.
Unfortunately, one player doesn't make up an entire roster. There is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding receivers, defensive backs, and other positions. Given that, it's hard to say who might win, and when the wheels could fall off.
At best, the Wildcats will escape the nonconference games without a scare and avoid any major upsets in conference play. There's a high likelihood of a bowl appearance should they opt in.
On the flip side, this is the Big 12, and things happen. It wouldn't come as a shock if some early losses pose trouble. Any team can fall below .500, and if not careful, the Wildcats could find themselves in that position.
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