Avery Johnson, the electrifying junior quarterback for the Kansas State Wildcats, didn’t just lead his team to bowl eligibility with a gritty 31-24 win over Colorado on Black Friday. Off the field, he’s quietly poured an estimated $500,000 from his NIL earnings – nearly his entire sophomore-year haul – into a deeply personal mission: Building the community center his late mother, Angela Johnson, dreamed of her entire life. It’s not the money that’s gone viral across college football; it’s the raw, emotional letter he penned to her grave, revealing how her unfulfilled vision for a safe haven in Wichita’s underserved neighborhoods fueled his rise from local hero to Big 12 star. “Mom, this one’s for you – the dream you held when I was too young to understand,” Johnson wrote. The CFB world? Stunned silent, then roaring in applause for a kid who’s as generational off the field as on.
This isn’t hype. It’s heroism wrapped in heartbreak. Johnson’s story – one of faith, family, and fierce loyalty – has #AveryForAngela trending nationwide, with over 10M impressions on X in 24 hours. As K-State preps for the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (opponent TBD), their signal-caller isn’t chasing headlines; he’s chasing closure for the woman who sacrificed everything.
🏈 Avery’s Gridiron Glow-Up: From Maize Maverick to Wildcat Wonder
Avery Johnson isn’t just Kansas’ top homegrown talent; he’s a dual-threat dynamo who’s got NFL scouts salivating. Born November 2, 2004, in Wichita, the 6-3, 196-pound gunslinger grew up idolizing his mom, Angela, a single parent and school counselor who poured her soul into at-risk kids. At Maize High School, Avery was a phenom: Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior, slinging 2,768 yards and 29 TDs while rushing for 817 and 15 more scores. A four-star recruit (No. 9 QB nationally per 247Sports), he turned down Oregon and Washington to stay home with K-State – “to help start something,” as ESPN’s Pete Thamel profiled him in September 2024.
His college arc? Pure poetry. Redshirted in 2023 behind Will Howard, he exploded in the Pop-Tarts Bowl (their first start), throwing for 134 yards and rushing for 48. Fast-forward to 2025: Despite a 6-6 Wildcats campaign marred by injuries and offensive line woes, Johnson shouldered the load – 2,385 pass yards, 18 TDs, 477 rush yards, and 8 scores. His 67% completion rate and 5.2 YPC highlight elusiveness; PFF grades him an 88.4 overall, with scouts comping him to a “more mobile Jalen Hurts.” Post-Colorado, he hinted at his future: “I’m committed to this place… but gotta talk family and pray.” NIL? He’s sitting on $1M+ annually via Opendorse deals with local banks, car lots, and golf brands – a finance major’s dream.
But football’s his outlet. Angela’s passing from breast cancer in 2022 – just months before his K-State commitment – left a void. “She was my why,” Avery told reporters after a 28-17 upset over Oklahoma State. Little did fans know, he was channeling that grief into gold.
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