13 February 2024
MANHATTAN (KSNT) – K-State coaches, players and fans all have high expectations for rising sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson. Johnson’s expectations for himself might be even higher.
“From a young age my dad has instilled confidence in myself,” Johnson said. “I wake up every day and tell myself I’m the best quarterback to ever play the game. I feel like if you want to be the best you obviously have to train to be the best but it starts in your own mind. You have to tell yourself that you’re going to be the best. The confidence I have in myself and in my teammates around me allows me to go out there and play worry free.”
Johnson, who ran for five touchdowns in one game as a true freshman in 2023, sat down with 27 Sports Director Glenn Kinley for an exclusive interview which aired on K-Nation.
He showed loyalty to Kansas State when Collin Klein, who recruited him and called plays in his freshman year, took at job at Texas A&M. Johnson elected to stay in Manhattan.
“The relationships I had built here and my relationship I’ve built with not just Coach Klieman but the rest of the coaches on the staff… It’s really family oriented here,” Johnson said. “I feel like this is the place that I chose for a reason and this is where God wanted me to me. Ultimately, I’m happy with my decision and I stuck with it.”
Johnson’s freshman year was an unconventional one, playing in a handful of games but never starting until the bowl.
“It was just different,” he said. “I’m so used to being the starter from three years in high school… But I think it was really good for me to be able to learn from Will [Howard] and be able to pick his brain and be a sponge… Just attacking each week and being ready for my opportunity when it presented itself.”
Johnson’s interview aired in Sunday’s K-Nation on Feb. 11. Click here for the full episode. Click here for more K-Nation content.