After suffering a tough loss in Week 4 against BYU, the No. 23-ranked Kansas State Wildcats, led by quarterback Avery Johnson, rebounded impressively, blowing out Big 12 rival Oklahoma State 42-20 to improve to 4-1 on the season. Johnson completed 19 of 31 passes for 259 yards, throwing three touchdowns and just one interception. He also contributed five carries for 60 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs makes him a dynamic quarterback, positioning him as one of the best in college football over the next year or so, especially considering he’s only 19 years old. On Monday, he was recognized for his phenomenal performance as the Big 12 conference named Johnson the Offensive Player of the Week.
Johnson struggled significantly in Week 4 against the Cougars, but his ability to put that disappointing performance behind him and rebound with such poise against the Cowboys is truly impressive for one of the younger starting quarterbacks in the sport.
On the season, he has accumulated 879 passing yards, 11 total touchdowns, 321 rushing yards, a 136.9 passer rating, and a 61.1 completion percentage. Kansas State truly has one of the best up-and-coming quarterbacks in the country, and as he continues to gain experience in high-stakes games, he could become a serious threat as the year progresses.