PHOENIX — Last year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl was all about getting a sneak peek into what Kansas State football would offer in the following calendar year. During K-State’s media availability ahead of this year’s Rate Bowl, head coach Chris Klieman made it clear that the Wildcats will display flashes of the future again on Thursday.
“The core of our team is still here and going to be here,” he said. “I know we lost a couple of players, but the core of our guys, the guys that were our best playmakers, the guys that we were counting on [are staying].”
The purple playbill for 2025 is headlined by offensive playmakers in quarterback Avery Johnson, running back Dylan Edwards, and wide receiver Jayce Brown. While it would’ve been normal for a trio of sophomores to stay in a program in the past, the ever-changing landscape of college football has created a shift.
“I’m sure people contacted [Johnson],” Klieman said. “I’m pretty sure people did because they contact every quarterback in the country. When that kid says he’s staying, everybody kind of rallies around him, and that’s why I’m so excited for him to finish up his sophomore year.”
Johnson emphasized his loyalty to the program, crediting fan support, being a Kansas kid, the coaching staff, and the team’s ceiling for reasons he never considered leaving.
“We can be a really talented team,” Johnson said. “Big 12 Champions, playing in the College Football Playoff, (there’s) a lot of unfinished business here at Kansas State.”
Starting on Thursday, Johnson’s childhood best friend in Edwards will take over the running back room with freshman Joe Jackson. The duo will look to match the 6.6 yards per carry production of NFL Draft-declared DJ Giddens.
“The fact that [Johnson] is working with Jayce a lot, he’s working with Dylan a lot, he’s working with Joe, he’s working with all those tight ends. We have really good tight ends with tons of production, and they’re all coming back,” Klieman said. “I think the 9-10 practices that he’s had, continuing to build chemistry with those guys is important.”
Brown has easily led the Wildcat’s receiving room with 763 yards and five touchdowns on 42 catches, doubling up the next-closest receiver in outgoing transfer Keagan Johnson. While surrounding wideouts may not have been a large threat to opposing secondaries, the K-State tight ends stepped up during the regular season, collecting 12 total across four different catchers.
Klieman was also quick to point out the continuity under center with junior center Sam Hecht.
“I think Sam’s had an all-conference year, and having him back, I think there’s, there’s a lot of really good pieces there, Klieman said. “We’ll fill in some other spots. But the core of that offense I’m excited about coming back.”
The winter window of the transfer portal opened on Dec. 9, and closes on Dec. 28. Check back with The Collegian for a round-up of K-State’s portal transactions after the winter window closes.
