Where Avery Johnson wants to grow in final year at K-State under Collin Klein
The celebration of Collin Klein's reunion for Avery Johnson has come and gone. Here's where things stand for the quarterback on the football field.
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. " Johnson thought he had a "really good spring," noting that some days had their ups and downs, but appreciated the chance to grow.
All he's concerned about is getting better each day and learning from mistakes. The learning curve hasn't been too steep as he reacclimates to Klein's offense. During his four years at K-State, he's had four different offensive coordinators or co-offensive coordinators, along with three different quarterbacks coaches.