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When Kansas State and Head Coach Chris Kleiman signed quarterback Avery Johnson in the 2023 recruiting class, it was a big deal for the Wildcat program. It’s not a program that gets a lot of top-flight recruits, especially at the quarterback position.
Avery Johnson got his first career start in Thursday Night’s Pop-Tarts Bowl for Kansas State against a very good defense in North Carolina State. The night ended with him taking home the game’s MVP and taking a bite out of a giant Pop-Tart as the Wildcats won, 28-19.
According to 247Sports, Avery Johnson was the 85th-ranked recruit and 9th-best quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class. According to their all-time rankings, he was the 10th-best recruit the school had ever signed, according to the service.
After sitting behind Will Howard during the regular season, Howard’s portal entry meant that Johnson would get the start in the Wildcats’ bowl game. He did not disappoint.
The completion percentage was not pretty, at just 14/31, 45%. But, the dual-threat quarterback made play after play, combining for 249 total yards and three touchdowns.
He even got to eat the fake mascot.
Chris Klieman and Avery Johnson just ate the mascot pic.twitter.com/fAtGoAIkyF
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) December 29, 2023
If you’re a Kansas State fan, his performance had to be encouraging. North Carolina State is one of the nation’s most tenacious defenses and Johnson played turnover-free football while showing off his elite playmaking ability.
With Oklahoma and Texas off to the SEC next year, Kansas State should be the preseason favorites to win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoff. Their newfound superstar quarterback should be an early Heisman candidate heading into next season as well.