There’s a blend of anxiety and hope as Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson heads into his final eligible season in 2026. Not only is time running out, but the search for his replacement is already underway.
The Wildcats’ 2027 quarterback competition could define the program’s future. Unlike most Big 12 teams, Kansas State didn’t recruit a QB in the 2026 class and that was intentional. With Johnson locked in as the starter for the upcoming season, the depth chart behind him includes Blake Barnett, Jacob Knuth, and Dillon Duff.
Once Johnson departs after next season and Knuth uses up his remaining eligibility, the battle comes down to three players: Barnett, Duff, and recent commit Cam Kruse.
Calling Johnson a difference-maker would be an understatement. Since Will Howard left in 2023, Johnson has become one of the most dominant figures in the program.
Kruse, who joins the Wildcats next season, shares a similar background. He’s an in-state prospect familiar with Kansas’ top competition and chose to stay close to home. A quick look at his high school stats tells the story.
Kruse, originally from Olathe, Kansas less than two hours from K-State’s campus played most of his high school ball in Tennessee after his father, Jerod Kruse, took an assistant coaching job at Tennessee State. In the 2024–25 season, he completed 88 of his passes for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns, with a long of 69 yards. The previous season, he posted similar stats: a 51% completion rate, 1,173 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
Compared to Johnson’s senior year at Maize High School, Kruse still has room to grow if he wants to compete for the starting job right away. However, his biggest hurdle isn’t size it’s experience. Kruse has only three seasons of high school ball under his belt. With less experience than Johnson’s current backups and only modest numbers after his sophomore year, it’s hard to see him as a first-year starter.
In a worst-case scenario, Kruse adds depth in his first season. If he shows promise during spring ball and nonconference play, he could earn some reps. A lot depends on how he’s used.
If he develops into a reliable starter by his second year and if the Wildcats keep him he could become the program’s next standout. That hinges on his growth. With a coaching staff like Collin Klein’s behind him, the real question is whether Kruse will evolve into more than just a solid contributor. Either way, he’ll play a key role in shaping the offense’s future.
Leave a Reply