Kansas State’s rising star quarterback, Avery Johnson, is excited about a new group of pass catchers, further fueling anticipation for the upcoming 2025 football season.
Despite losing household names like Keagan Johnson, Tre Spivey III, and Dante Cephus, the unit could actually be stronger next season thanks to the additions of transfers Jerand Bradley, Caleb Medford, and Jaron Tibbs.
"I'm really excited for them," Johnson told SI.com. "From JB, Tibbs, Caleb, JD, and we got some up-and-coming freshmen. We've got some guys still ready to come in the summer. But just really excited for those guys, I'm just ready to get out there and throw some live routes with them and see how they can compete against our defense."
Bradley brings great size to the position, standing 6-foot-5, and offers valuable experience at the Power Five level, having played at both Boston College and Texas Tech. Medford adds big-play potential, averaging 18 yards per reception over the past two seasons and Tibbs brings high upside as a late-blooming player and oozes star potential.
With the return of leading receiver Jayce Brown, the group may have the core needed to help balance an offense that was, at times, far too dependent on the running game last season. A stacked tight end room featuring returners Garrett Oakley, Will Swanson, Brayden Loftin, and others—along with highly touted freshman Linkon Cure—adds even more weapons to new offensive coordinator Matt Wells’ arsenal.
"Coach Klieman talks about it all the time, we have to be a player-led team," Johnson said to SI.com. "It's gonna take some leadership from the receiver room, the running back room, and me in the quarterback room to get guys together to work on whenever we don't have as many scheduled practices this summer. Just so we get some throwing routes on air and stuff, and we're not just going through the motions out there. We gotta have guys going full speed so that can translate on the field Saturday nights."