This week, Will Howard—who played quarterback for Ohio State for the previous four seasons—was asked to describe the biggest adjustment he has had since joining the team. Around K-State, his remark caused some eyebrows to raise. Howard told reporters in Ohio, “The one thing I would say is that I don’t feel like I have to be a hero here.”
And I think I have the guys close by, so all I have to do is help them make wise decisions and encourage communication. Ultimately, you know, I don’t have to go out there and perform any superhuman feats. All I have to do is be myself and have faith in the guys around me.
There were two intriguing aspects to his response. Firstly, during Howard’s time as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback, no one, not even head coach Chris Klieman, ever asked him to try and perform like Superman. As a junior, Howard led K-State to a Big 12 championship, demonstrating his exceptional distribution skills by passing the ball to Deuce Vaughn and tossing touchdown passes to Ben Sinnott. Second, when asked to sum up his experience leading the Wildcats early in training camp, new K-State quarterback Avery Johnson gave an eerily identical response.
Johnson stated, “We’ve looked really explosive at times.” “All we’ve been doing is attempting to get the ball to our players. There are a lot of people that can do amazing things with the ball in their hands, as well as playmakers. Therefore, my only responsibility is to provide it to them so they may go on and do what they do. Fans of K-State will be thrilled to hear that response because Johnson possesses the tools necessary to be a hero on the football field. With his quickness and scrambling abilities, few plays should ever be regarded as dead.
Although Johnson hasn’t yet encountered any growing pains, the fact that he believes he has a solid supporting cast should assist as he adjusts to life as a first-time starting quarterback in the Big 12. According to K-State receiver Keagan Johnson, “he has stepped up tremendously.”
“It has been fantastic how he has led our group to just meet more and work harder—even off the field. Just by the way he’s guiding us, you can see that extending to camp. Although there is certainly more for Avery to do, I believe that his current trajectory is a good one. During the previous season, Avery Johnson and wide receiver Jayce Brown developed a close bond.
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