There's a mix of fear and optimism knowing that Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is entering his final year of eligibility in 2026. Not only is the clock ticking, but the race to find his successor is on.
Kansas State 2027 QB battle likely to make or break the Wildcats
Unlike the majority of teams in the Big 12, the Wildcats didn't pursue a quarterback in the Class of 2026. That wasn't by accident, either. It's apparent that this season's starter is already set with Johnson in line, with backups Blake Barnett, Jacob Knuth and Dillon Duff all lining the depth chart.
With Johnson out of the picture next season and Knuth exhausting his final season of eligibility, that leaves three: Barnett, Duff, and Kansas State's most recent commit, Cam Kruse.
And to say that Johnson has been a difference maker during his run with Kansas State would be an understatement. Since Will Howard's departure back in 2023, he's been one of the most dominant faces of the program.
Kruse joins the Wildcats next season from a similar background, too. An in-state prospect, familiar with the state's best competition and opting to stay closer to home. A quick glance at his high school numbers will tell the whole story.
Cam Kruse background makes Wildcats a fitting destination
Kruse is originally a native of Olathe, Kansas, just shy of two hours away from the Kansas State campus. He's played the majority of his high school ball in Tennessee, following his father, Jerod Kruse, who took an assistant coaching job at Tennessee State.
During the 2024-25 season, he completed 88 passes for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns with the longest airing out at 69 yards. Just a season prior, he posted similar numbers with a 51% completion rate, 1,173 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Compare that to Johnson's senior year playing varsity at Maize High School in Maize, Kansas, and Kruse still has some work to do if he's going to make an immediate push for the starting role. The most obvious hurdle, however, isn't his size.
So far, Kruse has only seen three seasons at the high school level. Without the level of experience that Johnson's current backups have and some middle-of-the-line numbers following his sophomore season, it's hard to make a case that he's a first year starter.
Where Kruse's decision makes or breaks Kansas State
Worst case scenario, Kruse is an added piece of depth in his first season. If he proves capable in the early stages of spring ball and the nonconference football schedule, he's likely to earn at least a few reps. It all comes down to how he's utilized.
Should he grow into a sure starter by year two, and assuming that the Wildcats retain him, he's got the potential to emerge as the Wildcats' next big thing. But again, that all comes down to growth.
Considering that he'll have the support of a staff like Klein's behind him, the question is whether or not he'll develop beyond just another solid piece. Whatever the case may be, he's a key piece in determining how the rest of the offense could prevail.
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