The room fell into a profound silence, broken only by the soft clicks of cameras and muffled sobs from reporters who’d chronicled his rise. Teammates like running back DJ Giddens and wideout Keagan Johnson (no relation) flanked him, eyes red-rimmed, while new interim coach Collin Klein—promoted from offensive coordinator in the wake of Klieman’s exit—placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. X lit up instantly, with #StayAvery surging to 250K uses in hours, fans torn between heartbreak and pleas for him to return. It’s the kind of moment that exposes the fragility of college football’s carousel: A kid from Maize, Kansas, who grew up idolizing purple jerseys, now staring down an uncertain horizon at the program he bled for.
The Gut-Wrenching Backstory: From Heir Apparent to Holdout
Avery Johnson’s 2025 wasn’t a coronation—it was a crucible. Touted as Klieman’s successor to Will Howard since enrolling in 2023, he started all 12 games, but a season marred by chaos saw his stats dip from 2024’s breakout (2,712 passing yards, 25 TDs). This year: 2,385 passing yards, 18 TDs, and 6 INTs on 59.8% completion, plus 477 rushing yards and 8 scores—solid, but a shadow of the 3,000+ yard dual-threat terror scouts projected. Factors? A revolving backfield door after DJ Giddens’ mid-season ankle sprain, a WR room decimated by injuries (top target Phillip Brooks out four games with a hamstring pull), and an offensive line that surrendered 28 sacks. K-State limped to a 6-6 record, scraping bowl eligibility with a gritty 24-14 win over Colorado on November 29—the game where Johnson first hinted at his turmoil.
That Colorado victory? It was Johnson’s emotional prelude. Postgame, he professed love for K-State but admitted family talks loomed: “There’s no doubt in my mind that I wanna play for Coach Klieman… but there are things I gotta talk to my family about and pray about.” Then came the bombshell: On December 4, Klieman, 58 and battling burnout after a 40-24 loss at Utah, retired abruptly, citing health and a desire to “step back while I still can.” The timing—mid-bowl prep—sparked chaos: 15 players hit the transfer portal by December 7, including backup QB Jacob Loya. Johnson, as vocal leader and son of former NFLer Avery Johnson Sr., stayed for the Liberty Bowl, torching Tech for 285 passing yards and a rushing TD in a cathartic sendoff. But the presser? Pure agony, amplified by his family’s history—a viral August brawl in Ireland between his dad and brother post-Iowa State loss still stings.
This “last time” vibe? It’s the collision of loyalty and pragmatism. As a rising junior with three years left, Johnson’s no senior on his final snap—he’s weighing the portal (opened December 9) for a blue-blood landing like Texas or Oregon, where NIL could top $2M annually, or even an early NFL leap (though mocks peg him as a 2027 Day 2 pick at best). Whispers of a medical redshirt linger if shoulder soreness from October lingers, but insiders say it’s the coaching void: Klein, who recruited him, returns as OC, but can he steady the ship? Johnson’s silence on socials since the bowl speaks volumes.
Johnson’s Rollercoaster Ride: Stats That Tell a Tale of What-Ifs
Despite the dip, Johnson’s resilience shone. He engineered comebacks in three one-score wins, including a 31-27 thriller at Oklahoma State. His 78-yard bomb to Giddens vs. Kansas? Vintage. But efficiency suffered—down to 132.5 passer rating from 136.4—amid protection woes.
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