Inside the hype: Why Big 12 coaches think Kansas State could shock everyone in 2025

Kansas State heads into the 2025 season with high expectations—and based on what Big 12 opponents are saying, that optimism is more than just local hype.

In Athlon Sports’ annual anonymous coaches preview, rival coaches around the conference opened up about what they really think of K-State.

The verdict: the Wildcats could be a serious problem, especially on offense.

The comments hit on three major themes: the season opener against Iowa State in Ireland is critical; Avery Johnson is on the brink of stardom; and Matt Wells' offense has explosive potential.

Here’s what coaches had to say:

“If they come out of the Ireland game with a win, they’re in the driver’s seat for the conference championship game.”

That opener isn’t just a novelty trip overseas—it’s a Big 12 tone-setter. Iowa State returns nearly its entire roster from a team that made the conference title game last season. If Kansas State pulls off a win, it not only picks up a key tiebreaker, but also sets the stage for a favorable early-season stretch.

“The defense is solid, but the offense could carry them to the playoff.”

Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman has built a reputation for fielding tough, disciplined units, and there’s no reason to expect a drop-off. But what’s turning heads in 2025 is the offense. With Avery Johnson taking another step forward and weapons like Dylan Edwards and Jayce Brown at his disposal, coaches believe this group can lead—not just complement—the team.

“Jayce [Brown] coming back is a huge deal for them. [Matt] Wells is a great quarterbacks coach. I expect them to start scripting a little bit more to take advantage of [Avery] Johnson’s athleticism. There’s room for some creativity there we haven’t seen yet, probably because they were getting the kid acclimated to starting full-time.”

“Avery could be a superstar, a Heisman-level guy, but they’ve got to build up the talent around him. This could be one of the best and most creative offenses in the country this season if he continues to improve.”

Last season, K-State’s offense was conservative by design. First-time coordinator Conor Riley and first-year starter Johnson kept things simple. But now, with Wells bringing experience and a more mature quarterback in place, coaches expect the playbook—and the production—to open up.

And it’s not just Wildcat fans who are excited. Around the league, the message is clear: if K-State stays healthy and starts fast, it could be looking at more than just a Big 12 title push. A playoff berth isn’t off the table.