With Chris Klieman in charge of the program for the past six years, Kansas State football is expected to perform well in 2024.
After a 9-4 season in which they went 6-3 in conference play and earned a trip to the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Wildcats defeated NC State and celebrated with a gigantic Pop-Tart.
Avery Johnson took Will Howard’s spot in the bowl game by showcasing his exceptional athleticism and promising future. Even with Howard moving on, he’s a big part of the reason the expectations are still “Big 12 or bust” this season as he will be the starter.
That being stated, which Wildcats have the ability to shine this season and take the team to a championship?
3. DE’s Chiddi Obiazor
In addition to having one of the best names on the team, Chiddi Obiazor spent the whole spring season establishing himself on the field. In just one year in the program, he transformed from a sturdy 6-foot-6, 267-pound defensive end to a gigantic 6-foot-6, 267-pound defensive end by fully using the strength and conditioning staff.
Additionally, he will be challenging experienced defensive end Cody Stufflebean—also a terrific name—for the starting position early in the season.
Given his experience and length of time in the system, Stufflebean might be chosen for the position, but Obiazor’s size and skill set make him a dangerous option to bench halfway through the season. His strength, size, and potential make him a worthy defensive end All-Big 12 candidate.
Obiazor, a redshirt freshman, is my pick to be the standout defender this season.
2. WR Keagan Johnson
Keagan Johnson and tight end Garrett Oakley were a close second and third choice for me, but in the end, I decided to go with the person who I think has a marginally greater upside.
It was somewhat surprising that Johnson, a native of Nebraska, decided to attend Iowa after high school considering the Hawkeyes’ notoriously poor offense and lackluster passing game. However, perhaps the staff persuaded him that he could be able to change it.
It was successful.
Johnson has 18 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in 2021 as a true freshman. He was among Iowa’s most dynamic players, and he most likely earned more chances. He missed the most of the sophomore campaign and finished with two receptions for 11 yards in two games. Not long after, he hit the transfer portal.
The former four-star recruit shown that he was more than just a home run threat in 2023 when he caught a career-high 24 catches for 227 yards and two scores with Kansas State. And he’s only now beginning. The best is yet ahead of him, and with a starting position all but guaranteed, he will lead this offense with some impressive stats even with a new quarterback.
Buy all of Keagan Johnson’s stock at this time.
First, QB Avery Johnson
Startled to see Avery Johnson in this place? It’s possible that you are the only person on the planet who finds this even remotely shocking. Seven days a week and twice on Sundays, he will be Kansas State’s best breakthrough prospect. Johnson is one of those unique players.
Johnson was the ninth-best quarterback in the 2023 class when he was a high school recruit, with rankings in the top 100. He was the subject of enormous hype.
Despite Will Howard leading the offense, fans wanted to see him early and often. He managed to appear in eight games, rushing for 296 yards and seven more touchdowns and passing for 479 yards and five touchdowns with a 56 percent completion percentage. 12 touchdowns were scored by him as a true freshman backup quarterback. Strange things.
With Howard gone, the former blue-chip prospect is taking control, and as quarterback, it appears that the sky is the limit for him. He is going to be among the nation’s most promising newcomers.
Even though he might experience some early growing pains, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him finish the season as one of the conference’s top two or three quarterbacks and a legitimate first-team All-Big 12 candidate. I can’t wait to see this guy perform.
Next, three Big 12 teams that in 2024 will surpass predictions. Three Big 12 teams that in 2024 will perform better than expected. dark
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