In an era where college football quarterbacks frequently transfer from one program to another, Avery Johnson has become an increasingly rare example of loyalty and stability. The Kansas State star has remained committed to the Wildcats since joining the program as part of the highly regarded 2023 recruiting class, standing out at a time when player movement has become one of the defining trends in college athletics.
When Johnson originally committed to Kansas State Wildcats out of Maize as a four-star recruit, it was still fairly common for quarterbacks to spend their entire college careers with one school. Transfers certainly existed, but most players usually developed within a single program and stayed there through graduation. Fast forward just a few years, however, and the landscape has changed dramatically because of the transfer portal, NIL opportunities, and revenue-sharing possibilities.
A closer look at the nation’s top quarterback recruits from the 2023 class highlights just how unusual Johnson’s situation has become. Among the top 25 quarterbacks in the recruiting rankings that year, only four remain with the schools they originally signed with. Johnson is one of those few players, joining Arch Manning at Texas, Christopher Vizzina at Clemson, and Marcel Reed at Texas A&M.
Many of the other elite quarterbacks from that recruiting cycle have already transferred multiple times. Ten are currently playing for their second college program, while nine others are already with a third school. Two quarterbacks are even preparing to play for a fourth team in only four seasons. The rapid movement has become common across the country as athletes search for better opportunities, more playing time, or stronger NIL deals.
For example, Malachi Nelson has gone from USC to Boise State, then UTEP, and now Syracuse. Meanwhile, Jaden Rashada has spent time at Arizona State, Georgia, Sacramento State, and Mississippi State. Overall, the average top-25 quarterback from the 2023 class has already played for more than two schools. In today’s college football environment, transferring multiple times has almost become more common than staying loyal to one program.
Johnson understood those realities but intentionally chose a different path. Rather than entering the transfer portal to chase larger financial opportunities or a fresh start elsewhere, he remained committed to Kansas State. Earlier this spring, Johnson explained that staying with the Wildcats meant more to him than simply following trends around college football. He said building relationships with teammates, creating a legacy, and finishing what he started were major priorities.
Johnson also spoke proudly about his goal of graduating from Kansas State and completing his entire college career in Manhattan. In a time when many athletes move quickly from one school to another, he believes remaining with the same program reflects both his character and dedication to the team.
The Wildcats have rewarded that loyalty by making Johnson a centerpiece of the program. He saw the field early as a freshman and closed out his first season with an MVP performance in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Since then, Johnson has developed into one of the top quarterbacks in school history.
His production has been impressive both through the air and on the ground. Johnson has completed 458 passes for 5,576 yards and 48 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,378 yards and 22 more scores. Those numbers continue pushing him higher in Kansas State’s record books.
Now, with former Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein returning as head coach, Johnson has an opportunity to finish his college career with the same coach who first recruited him years ago. That continuity adds another meaningful chapter to a college football journey built on loyalty, consistency, and long-term commitment.
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