CBS Sports has recognized Kansas State’s Avery Johnson as one of the Big 12’s premier quarterbacks, slotting him fourth in its 2025 preseason rankings.
Johnson ranks just behind Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt, Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, and Iowa State’s Rocco Becht in the Big 12 quarterback rankings.
The Wichita native put together a breakout 2024 campaign, setting a school record with 25 touchdown passes. Despite the milestone, CBS Sports says Johnson hasn’t fully met the lofty expectations many had for him entering his first year as a starter.
“Johnson finished with a school-record 25 touchdown passes and yet it didn't feel like he met the high expectations many set for him as a first-year starter,” the article states. “Johnson has his doubters after multi-interception outings in three of Kansas State's four losses last fall, but his impact on the team is immeasurable. When he's on, the Wildcats are a conference frontrunner. They were in contention coming down the stretch last fall before a November swoon that Johnson hopes to avoid this time around.”
Rounding out the top 10 are TCU’s Josh Hoover (No. 5), Utah’s Devon Dampier (No. 6), Texas Tech’s Behren Morton (No. 7), Kansas’ Jalon Daniels (No. 8), Cincinnati’s Brendon Sorsby (No. 9), and Houston’s Connor Weigman (No. 10).
Johnson’s upside hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s been named a top prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft by ESPN and earned an invite this offseason to the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, a hotspot for elite quarterback talent.
Johnson is looking to add to the K-State record books, as he currently ranks sixth in career passing efficiency (137.2), tied for ninth in touchdown passes (30), and just 186 rushing yards shy of cracking the school’s top 10 rushing quarterbacks. His 71.4% career winning percentage also ranks tied for 10th among K-State QBs since 1990.
The Wildcats have seen significant changes to their receiving corps after losing key targets Keagan Johnson, Tre Spivey III, and Dante Cephus.
The Cats added experienced transfers Jerand Bradley, Caleb Medford, and Jaron Tibbs and leading receiver Jayce Brown returns, along with tight ends Garrett Oakley, Will Swanson, Brayden Loftin, and promising freshman Linkon Cure.
Johnson and Kansas State open their 2025 season on Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland, against rival Iowa State in the “Farmageddon” game—a matchup drawing national attention and carrying potential Big 12 title implications.
With Avery Johnson leading the offense, Kansas State looks ready to compete for a Big 12 title and make noise on the national stage in 2025.