Kansas State’s Collin Klein gets his latest quarterback development test with Avery Johnson

Kansas State head coach Collin Klein is again facing a quarterback development storyline, and this time the focus is on Avery Johnson. In a look ahead to the Wildcats’ season, Yahoo Sports framed the central issue as whether Klein, a coach widely associated with raising quarterback play, can replicate that impact with Johnson this year.

Klein’s reputation has long been tied to how his offenses ask quarterbacks to operate with clarity and confidence while making reads in real time. Yahoo Sports’ comparison point was Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, described in the season preview as one of the best players in college football last year. The underlying argument is that Klein’s coaching has a history of producing noticeable jumps, not just incremental improvement.

For Kansas State, the QB position is not an abstract coaching challenge. It is the engine that determines how much risk the Wildcats can take, how consistently they can move the ball on schedule, and how the offense can respond when defenses disrupt a plan. With Johnson as the featured quarterback, the early returns will likely hinge on the simple questions teams and coaches track every week: accuracy under pressure, decision-making on designed plays, and the ability to adapt when the protection or coverage shifts.

There is also an expectation component that comes with Klein’s track record. Yahoo Sports’ framing suggests Kansas State fans are not merely hoping Johnson performs; they are watching for the specific kind of transformation coaches like Klein are known for. That matters because quarterback improvement can change how the entire depth chart is evaluated, how practice focuses, and how quickly play-calling can expand beyond conservative concepts.

Still, quarterback development is rarely linear, and the same coaching tendencies do not always translate cleanly across different personnel and offensive backgrounds. Without more confirmed, specific reporting on Johnson’s progress or role details, the safest way to read this storyline is as a question the program is asking publicly: can Klein turn Johnson into the kind of driver of wins that matches the coach’s reputation?

What to watch next is not only Johnson’s production, but the indicators that often precede it. Look for smoother execution in rhythm-based throws, steadier decisions when coverage disguises pressure, and the offense’s willingness to trust Johnson in higher-leverage situations. If those pieces show up early, the larger “turnaround” narrative becomes easier to believe by midseason.

If the answers trend in the Wildcats’ direction, the implications extend beyond one season. A quarterback who develops under Klein’s system can stabilize recruiting conversations, improve continuity on offense, and give Kansas State a clearer identity against conference opponents week to week. If not, the program will still learn something important, but it likely will be about fit and process rather than the quick leap Klein’s past has suggested is possible.