Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson had a huge game against NC State in the Pop Tart Bowl, and it was clear from then that he’d lead the Wildcats in 2024.
Head coach Chris Klieman took the first opportunity he had to talk up the true sophomore at Big 12 Media Days.
Chris Klieman: Avery Johnson’s Maturity Has Prepared Him to Lead in 2024
Given Johnson’s hype and performance in last year’s bowl game, it’s unsurprising that the first question Klieman was asked in his TV interview was about the true sophomore. It should also be unsurprising that Klieman took the opportunity to hype up Johnson.
“He’s one of the best competitors I’ve been around,” Klieman said. “He’s going to be the fastest kid on the field all the time. I mean, he’s got elite speed. But he throws it much better than people have probably given him credit for, and we’re gonna see that this year.
“He’s a confident kid. He’s not an arrogant kid, he’s just a confident kid, and he makes everyone around him better. I’ve seen him this spring where he’s brought some of the wideouts and running backs and tight ends together and kinda led some of those captains things … I’m excited because his trajectory is just going up.”
Klieman said he was impressed with Johnson’s maturity and explained how he’s grown in the last few months.
“I think that month (before the Pop Tart Bowl) was really big for him,” Klieman said. “Will (Howard) had already departed, and so he got to really run the team and be the number one guy. he was able to have some success in the bowl game, have some difficulties, then finish it with success. I think all those things, the adversity he had to face in the bowl game, has prepared him for now. And he’s still only going to be a true sophomore. He’s still very young.”
It’s obvious that Klieman is excited about Johnson’s potential at the quarterback position. A true dual-threat QB, Johnson has the talent to compete for an All-Conference team.
Johnson will lead the Wildcats this year, starting on Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. EST in the season opener against UT Martin.
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