Kansas State QB 2024 Season: Who Took The Helm
Avery Johnson took the helm as Kansas State Wildcats starting quarterback for the entire 2024 college football season, succeeding transfer Will Howard and leading the team through a challenging campaign.
Season Overview
The 2024 season marked Avery Johnson's first full year as the primary signal-caller for Kansas State, a program with a storied history of quarterback excellence dating back to the Bill Snyder era. Johnson, a highly touted recruit from Wichita, Kansas, stepped into the spotlight after Howard's departure to Ohio State. His dual-threat ability-combining precise passing with elite mobility-defined the Wildcats' offensive identity, though the team finished with a 6-6 record, opting out of a bowl game amid coaching transitions.
Johnson's statistical output included 2,712 passing yards, 25 touchdowns through the air, 605 rushing yards, and seven scores on the ground, per official records. These figures represented a step forward from his freshman backup role in 2023, where he tallied 479 yards and five TDs in limited action. Despite flashes of brilliance, turnovers and late-season struggles hampered the team's Big 12 aspirations.
Key Statistics
| Category | 2024 Stats | 2023 Stats | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 2,712 | 479 | Top-80 |
| Passing TDs | 25 | 5 | Top-40 |
| Rushing Yards | 605 | Minimal | Top-50 Dual-Threat |
| Rushing TDs | 7 | 0 | Top-30 |
| Completion % | 61.3% | N/A | Mid-Tier Big 12 |
| Total Offense YPG | 251.4 | N/A | Top-15 Big 12 |
This table captures Avery Johnson's growth as a passer and runner, highlighting his evolution into a complete quarterback. The Wildcats ranked top-15 nationally in four major offensive categories, averaging a school-record 6.1 yards per carry, but four of their nine early wins required fourth-quarter comebacks-the second-most in the nation.
- Johnson started all 12 games, cementing his role by Week 1 against UT Martin on August 31, 2024.
- He earned Davey O'Brien QB Class of 2024 honors on October 29, 2024, one of 35 national quarterbacks selected.
- By late October, he had 1,654 passing yards, 16 TDs, 373 rushing yards, and four rushing scores, making him one of five QBs nationwide with 1,600+ pass yards and 370+ rush yards.
- Depth chart backups included redshirt senior Ta'Quan Roberson (ex-Penn State) and redshirt sophomore Jacob Knuth.
- Innovative packages featured redshirt freshman Blake Barnett in shotgun formations alongside Johnson, confusing defenses as seen versus UCF.
Game-by-Game Highlights
- Week 1 vs. UT Martin (Aug 31): Season debut with 250+ total yards, signaling Johnson's readiness.
- Week 9 vs. Kansas Jayhawks (Oct 26): Continued start in rivalry game; Wildcats were 7-1, 4-1 Big 12 at the time, with Johnson at 1,401 pass yards and 14 TDs entering.
- Midseason surge: Four straight wins, peaking with 61.3% completion on 130-of-212 attempts.
- Late skid: Three losses in final four games, including turnover-plagued outings that dropped the record to 6-6.
- Finale: Bumpy performance amid rumors of coach Chris Klieman's impending departure, confirmed post-season.
These milestones underscore Johnson's resilience, as the Wildcats navigated a "bumpy" fall under Klieman, who had posted a 35-18 record in prior full seasons including a Big 12 title.
"Citing 'unfinished business,' Kansas State starting quarterback Avery Johnson announced he's coming back." - ESPN, January 1, 2026.
This quote from Johnson's return announcement for 2026 reflects his commitment after the 2024 trials, boosting team morale amid roster enhancements like five-star TE Linkon Cure and Purdue transfer Jaron Tibbs.
Challenges Faced
Kansas State football entered 2024 with high expectations as preseason No. 16 in some polls, but Johnson's inexperience showed in completion percentage dips and interception issues. The offense excelled in yards per carry but faltered in clutch moments, with turnovers costing three of four late losses. Klieman's sixth year ended abruptly as he stepped down, influencing the no-bowl decision.
- Turnover differential: Negative in five losses, per advanced metrics.
- Receiver development: Needed improvement to elevate Johnson's passer rating above 150.
- Rivalry pressure: Sunflower Showdown vs. Kansas tested his poise on October 26.
Historical Context
Johnson's 2024 tenure fits into Wildcats QB legacy, from Michael Bishop's 1998 Heisman run to Collin Klein's 2012 exploits. As the highest-rated QB recruit in program history, his 2,712 passing yards eclipsed early Howard benchmarks. Coach Klieman, successor to legend Bill Snyder (stadium namesake), trusted Johnson's growth without retention pleas: "I never had to sit down and say, 'Man, we need you to stay,'" Klieman told CBS Sports.
Future Outlook
Johnson's 2024 forged a battle-tested leader, now surrounded by elite talent: Cure, Tibbs, and returnees like Dylan Edwards. The 2025 Ireland opener vs. Iowa State (Week 0) looms large, with Johnson's dual-threat stats projecting 3,500+ total yards. Klieman's successor inherits a top-15 offense primed for Big 12 contention.
| Projected 2026 Stats | Estimate | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Passing Yards | 3,200 | 2024 Growth + Weapons |
| Rushing Yards | 800 | Dual-Threat Elite |
| Big 12 Finish | Top-3 | Roster Upgrades |
Johnson's journey from backup to cornerstone embodies Kansas State resilience, setting stage for redemption. His 2024 stats-25 pass TDs, 605 rush yards-signal NFL potential, echoing program greats.
Legacy Impact
In K-State lore, 2024 Avery Johnson emerges as the dual-threat bridge from Klieman's steady hand to future glory. With 12 starts, national accolades, and raw mobility (top-50 rush yards), he redefined the position. Historical parallels: Like Klein's 2011-12, Johnson's ground game (7 TDs) powered a run-first attack averaging 6.1 YPC.
- Program records: School-record rush efficiency; top-15 national offense.
- Awards trajectory: O'Brien Class of 2024 positions for semifinalist contention.
- Recruiting boon: Highest-rated QB signee ever, per 247Sports.
"The path to a best-case scenario season is pretty cut-and-dry: Avery Johnson turns out to be a star." - SI.com, August 2024 preview.
This prescient quote proved half-right; stardom flickered amid team woes, but 2026 return cements his arc. Wildcats fans recall October 29 O'Brien nod after 7-1 start, when 1,654 pass yards met 373 rushes uniquely.
Johnson's 2024 odyssey-2,712 yards, 32 total TDs-anchors Wildcats' modern QB pantheon, blending Snyder/Klieman grit with next-gen flash. As Manhattan faithful chant, his "unfinished business" endures.
Helpful tips and tricks for Kansas State Qb 2024 Season Who Took The Helm
Who was the backup QB in 2024?
Ta'Quan Roberson, a redshirt senior with Penn State roots since 2019, served as primary backup, with Jacob Knuth and Blake Barnett providing depth and gadget snaps.
What was Johnson's best game?
October 26 vs. Kansas Jayhawks stands out; at 7-1 overall, Johnson dismantled rivals with poise, contributing to a 4-1 Big 12 mark before the skid.
Did Kansas State make a bowl?
No, the 6-6 Wildcats declined postseason play amid Klieman's exit and internal resets, prioritizing 2025-26 rebuild.
Why did Johnson return?
After "a lot of prayer, conversations with my family and talks with my coaches," Johnson opted for his senior year, eyeing NFL Draft elevation on January 1, 2026 Instagram post.
How did 2024 compare to expectations?
Preseason hype as Big 12 contenders fizzled to 6-6, but Johnson's personal benchmarks exceeded projections, named to O'Brien watchlist by October 29.
What changed post-2024?
Johnson's return announcement on January 1, 2026, stabilized the program; Klieman's exit opened new era, with beefed-up receivers addressing 2024 gaps.
Who coached during 2024?
Chris Klieman led in his sixth year, posting 35-18 prior record with a Big 12 title, before stepping down post-6-6.
Key teammates?
Edwards as home-run back; tight ends group led nation with 13 TDs; incoming Cure/Tibbs for 2026.