Kansas State football quarterback Avery Johnson embraces leadership role at a young age

Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman knew from the moment he started recruiting Avery Johnson, that there was something about him, a certain presence that you want in a quarterback.

“He had an it factor,” Klieman said of Johnson, who indeed will be the Wildcats’ starting quarterback this season as a sophomore. “You can tell the guys that have it factors, and the confidence but not arrogance.”

From the time he arrived in Manhattan last year as a true freshman after a standout career at Maize High School, Johnson has done nothing to dispel that notion. His athleticism — particularly his speed, agility and arm strength — all were on display at various times last year when he served as Will Howard’s backup.

Johnson’s finest hours came in 2023 came during a game at Texas Tech, where he ran for five touchdowns in a come-from-behind victory, and then as most valuable player as starting quarterback in the Pop-Tarts Bowl after Howard entered the transfer portal.

Kansas State football quarterback Avery Johnson is ready to lead the Wildcats’ offense

But what has stood out about Johnson perhaps as much as his physical tools, is his ability to command the respect of teammates as well as coaches at such a tender age.

“For a young, young player, he has been a great leader, as well as learning from some of these older guys that are here with him,” Klieman said.

Establishing himself as a leader has been a priority for Johnson ever since he learned that he would start the bowl game. It carried over to the spring and now through player-led summer workouts.

“Just trying to be more vocal and get in front of the guys whenever I get the chance and just continue to lead by example, and just doing my best to gain everybody’s trust,” Johnson said. “I feel like the biggest thing is whenever adversity strikes, whether that’s in the weight room or struggling in the warmup or practice, a run, whatever it might be, just get in front of the team and being vocal and encouraging guys.

“Not bringing guys down, but just trying to pick them up and then let them know to get back to our standard.”

Add Kansas State football quarterbacks coach Matt Wells to list of Avery Johnson fans

It didn’t take winning the starting job for Johnson to demonstrate the it factor that Klieman saw during the recruiting process. That is why he didn’t hesitate in bringing Johnson to Las Vegas on Tuesday as one of K-State’s five representatives at Big 12 media days.

“We saw enough last year that for us, we knew he was going to be the guy long term for us, and he was ready for the moment,” Klieman said. “It was his time and I told him when we recruited him, he’s going to be the face of the program.

“And it came up late in his first year where he ended up truly being the face, and I’m excited because he’s taken that mantle really well, and he’s been a great leader.”

Johnson has earned the team’s respect by putting his money where his mouth is, Klieman added.

“He always has been a really mature guy. But he’s a humble guy, and he works his tail off,” Klieman said. “He’s the best competitor I’ve been around since Easton Stick, and I had Easton at North Dakota State for five years, and he’s with the Chargers.

Kansas State football quarterback Avery Johnson’s maturity shines through in bowl victory

“Avery is that kind of competitor. If you come out and watch a morning run, he’s not losing any of the competition drills. He’s not losing any of the races where it’s not a race, where he’s just going to finish first in everything he does.”

Super-senior linebacker and team captain Austin Moore agreed.

“He is accepted as the guy because he puts in the work, and not only is he an exceptional talent, which anyone can see by just watching him,” Moore said in an interview with Go Powercat. “But he’s someone that’s going to put in the work and have the talent, which is a rare thing to see.

“I’ve been around for a long time, and you don’t see that happen a whole lost.”

For Johnson, his leadership remains a work in progress.

“Just trying to be more vocal,” he reiterated. “Other than that, just continuing to put my head down and work and continue to lead by example.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.