Where Avery Johnson wants to grow in final year at K-State under Collin Klein

Yahoo Sports3h ago12 min readOriginal source →

TL;DR

Avery Johnson is set to play his final season at Kansas State under head coach Collin Klein, who previously recruited him. Their focus is on enhancing Johnson's performance as a quarterback during the upcoming season.

Key points

Avery Johnson plays final season at Kansas State
Collin Klein is the new head coach
Klein previously recruited Johnson
Focus on improving Johnson's quarterback skills
Growth observed in spring camp

Mentioned in this story

Avery JohnsonCollin Klein

Kansas State Wildcats

Where Avery Johnson wants to grow in final year at K-State under Collin Klein

MANHATTAN — Avery Johnson and Collin Klein exchanged their hugs at the Kansas State football facility upon the latter's hiring as head coach. The two are reunited, and Johnson chose to play his final season of eligibility in a Wildcats uniform.

The celebration around the reunion, when Klein played a large part in recruiting Johnson to Manhattan before he departed to become Texas A&M's offensive coordinator, has come and gone. The focus now shifts to the football field, where Klein will try to make up for lost time and elevate Johnson to the quarterback everyone thinks he can be.

At the end of their second spring camp together, their first since 2023, Klein spoke to the growth he saw in Johnson, particularly late in camp, when Johnson began to build better chemistry with his newer wide receivers.

"I think we've taken a little bit of a step here the last couple of days, but there's more out there," Klein said. "With his expectations in himself and all of us... There's more in us."

Kansas State freshman wide receiver Julius Wilson (16) walks in to practice on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Q&A

What are Avery Johnson's goals for his final season at Kansas State?

Avery Johnson aims to grow as a quarterback and build chemistry with his new wide receivers during his final season at Kansas State.

How did Collin Klein influence Avery Johnson's decision to stay at K-State?

Collin Klein played a significant role in recruiting Avery Johnson to Kansas State, which influenced Johnson's decision to play his final season there.

What improvements did Collin Klein notice in Avery Johnson during spring camp?

Collin Klein observed significant growth in Avery Johnson, particularly in building chemistry with his newer wide receivers towards the end of spring camp.

What is the significance of the reunion between Avery Johnson and Collin Klein?

The reunion is significant as it marks a pivotal moment for both, with Klein now in a coaching role aiming to elevate Johnson's quarterback skills.