The Devy Wildcard: Kansas State QB Avery Johnson

Kevin looks at one of the biggest wildcards in the devy format, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson!

Electrifying. That was my immediate reaction when I delved into Johnson’s high school tape, anticipating his freshman season at Kansas State. Johnson’s athleticism and playmaking ability were a sight to behold, radiating from the screen with every play. Even when his high school receivers faltered, he consistently delivered big plays, keeping his team in the game. In his senior season, he completed 153/228 passes for 2,768 yards and threw twenty-nine touchdowns against just three interceptions. But his true prowess lies in his dual-threat ability, where he rushed for 817 yards on 98 carries and had fifteen rushing touchdowns. He was a constant scoring threat from all corners of the football field. His high school performance catapulted him to the #9 quarterback recruit in the country, leading to his signing with Kansas State.

FRESHMAN SEASON

Johnson's journey at Kansas State began with him playing second fiddle to incumbent starter Will Howard. While Howard held the title of QB1, Johnson managed to showcase glimpses of his potential. He made a statement in his first game in the Big 12 against Texas Tech. Going 8/9 throwing for 77 yards and rushing for ninety yards and five touchdowns in a single game, he was a live wire on the field, sparking excitement and hope for the future.

After that game, though, Johnson didn’t see much playing time. Whether due to an undisclosed injury or the coaching staff leaning on Howard down the stretch of a competitive Big-12 season, Johnson didn’t get enough reps down the stretch of the season until Kansas State played NC State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Johnson was tabbed as the starter after Will Howard entered the transfer portal, where he would later commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Johnson took full advantage of his opportunity and threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 71 more yards, and one more score on the ground. His 15-play, 72-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter put the game away and showcased his elite upside at the quarterback position. His performance earned him the MVP of the bowl game and led Kansas State to a 9-4 record. More than anything, it has led to some high expectations for Johnson heading into the 2024 season.

SCOUTING REPORT

As we head into the 2024 season, let’s break down the tape and discuss what he does well and what he needs to improve to be a legitimate NFL draft prospect.

STRENGTHS

DUAL-THREAT ABILITY

Johnson’s dual-threat ability will set him apart from other quarterbacks in the Big 12. He has a recorded 4.54 forty-yard dash, and every bit of that speed shows up on film. Last season, when Kansas State used designed runs for Johnson, he was able to capitalize and was one of the fastest players on the field. He is a threat to score anytime the ball is in his hands, and he calls his number to make a play.

His ability to escape the pocket also adds another dimension to their offense. Defenses have to scheme ways to spy Johnson, which takes away a defender in coverage and allows receivers Keagan Johnson and Dante Cephas more time to break free in the secondary.

PLAYMAKER

The other trait that Johnson displays is his playmaking ability. While he can run, he doesn’t necessarily look to take off when pressured. His eyes never stop looking downfield. He’s not afraid to let his third and fourth reads get open. He’s not a robot and can see the field well. We see this trait a ton in elite-level prospects, and Johnson has it. Defenses have to worry about him every time he drops back, and he’s not afraid to make a play when his team needs one.

FEARLESS GUNSLINGER

Johnson's other trait is he’s not afraid to let it fly. While this trait will undoubtedly lead to some turnovers, his progression over his freshman season made him take calculated risks, which is an important distinction. He trusts his arm and his anticipation enough to go and try to make big plays. He reminds me a bit of early career Jaxson Dart as a passer. Johnson trusts his receivers to make plays and knows where to get them the football. You see the talent in every throw, and as he develops, he could turn into one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12.

HAS THE “IT” FACTOR

There is something about Johnson’s game that has stood out in all the tape I have watched. His high school coaches raved about his leadership, and his college coaches also highlighted his maturity. They’ve also mentioned that he is a quick learner and can absorb knowledge quickly. Coachable. Here’s what Kansas State Offensive Line Coach Conor Riley said about him after their bowl win:

“He converts on a huge third down. What he has the ability to do with his feet is phenomenal. We put a lot on him to turn protections and I thought he did that just fantastically. His maturity… we can all see how special of a football player that young man is. His maturity, his desire to be great, his knowledge of the game is probably the most unbelievable thing about him quite honestly.” – K-State O-line coach/OC Conor Riley on Avery Johnson’s night.

The end of their bowl game showed that he had the “IT” factor when Johnson led a 15-play, 72-yard drive that lasted 7 minutes and 24 seconds. It featured a fourth-down conversion to creep inside the red zone and ended when Johnson checked into a play and threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jayce Brown with 2:48 remaining in the fourth quarter, sealing the win. Johnson earned his coach's trust from the confidence to make throws on fourth down to changing calls that led to a game-winning touchdown.

AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT

Johnson’s profile is littered with strengths and upsides. There are some areas that he will need to improve on this season.

MECHANICS/CONSISTENT ACCURACY

First and foremost, his mechanics will need to be tightened up. He won at every level based on athleticism and physical tools. His quick release allows him to overcome sloppy footwork, but he must be consistent. His footwork also hurts his overall arm strength and accuracy. When he plants his feet and drives the ball, he can reach anywhere on the field and layers the ball well; when he rushes throws and his mechanics, his arm strength wanes a bit. He also tends to miss open receivers due to that footwork, primarily on out routes toward the boundaries. That arm strength will matter in 2024. Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman has said repeatedly this off-season that he wants the team to take more deep shots this year and have the offense be more vertical. As he gets more and more reps, he’ll need to make sure that he dials in his mechanics. Something that can be easily fixed based on his coachable nature.

SIZE

To be a genuine NFL prospect, he’ll need to add size. Off-season reports have said he has worked in the weight room and the training table. New quarterbacks coach Matt Wells wants him to add both muscle and mass to his 6-foot-2 frame in order to withstand the punishment of a full season as the starting quarterback. After ending last season at 181 pounds, he currently weighs in at 190, and Johnson reiterated his goal is to make 200 pounds possibly by the start of the season. If Johnson can do that and keep his speed, then he’ll rise up draft boards.

2024 OUTLOOK