How Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson is adjusting to life as a college freshman
Avery Johnson is easy to spot on Kansas State’s campus.
There aren’t many other long-haired freshmen walking from one class to the next with the physique of a strong-armed quarterback. Even if he does have a doppelganger located somewhere in his new college town, you can easily tell them apart because Johnson is the one carrying a bag filled with protein bars and he is also probably stuffing his face like Brad Pitt’s character in the movie “Ocean’s 11.”
Now that Johnson has enrolled a semester early to jump-start his college football career after a sensational four years at Maize High School, he is trying to bulk up. That means eating 5,000 calories each day.
“Trying to stay on top of my diet has been my hardest challenge so far,” Johnson said. “My backpack is full of snacks. I wouldn’t want to sit next to me in class, because that is literally all I do. I am crunching through my back, eating all kinds of stuff and trying to get the next thing open.”
When Johnson arrived at K-State for the start of the spring semester he weighed 175 pounds. That was enough for him to win tons of games in high school and become one of the most decorated recruits in the Sunflower State, but he will need more muscle to survive as a quarterback in the Big 12.
His goal is to gain 20 pounds by the time games begin in the fall.
“I’m looking to put on anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds before that time,” Johnson said, “so that my body is developed and can take a hit from a linebacker.”
Adding muscle is an important first step for Johnson as he makes the transition into Chris Klieman’s offense. The Wildcats aren’t afraid to deploy their quarterbacks as runners, and they will likely look to use Johnson as a ball-carrier whenever he is ready to play at this level because of his speed. He will need all the extra size he can maintain.
Starting quarterback Will Howard, for example, is 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. Trying to match that type of frame has not been easy for Johnson.
“My biggest adversity so far is just since I got here it’s been very hard to eat as much as I wanted to,” Johnson said. “You have to eat 5,000 calories just to put on weight and I’ve never done that before. We have a great nutritionist. He’s helped me out and he’s got me set up with the plan I need. But when you get to college they tell you what you need to do and then you have to do it on your own. They’re not going to hold your hand.”
Outside of his new dietary regimen, things have gone smoothly for Johnson during his first few weeks on campus. He is sharing a room with fellow freshman Wesley Fair, who is a longtime friend from Wichita. The team has welcomed him with open arms. He also enjoys working out with teammates and participating in captain-led practices.
But he is dealing with one other rather large adjustment. After starring at Maize for all those years, he is now the low man on the totem pole on K-State’s depth chart. Howard is back as the team’s unquestioned starter. So are backups Jake Rubley and Adryan Lara.
He may be the quarterback of the future, but the odds of Johnson playing next season appear low.
“It just means I have got to work harder,” Johnson said. “I have to find out what it takes to be successful at this next level. I’m going to talk to coaches, talk to players and different stuff like that. I’m going to keep my confidence and stay motivated, because I know my time will come.”
There is a chance Johnson will redshirt as a freshman. He is not opposed to that, but he will carry a more aggressive mentality into the season.
“I’m going to come in preparing like I am going to play, obviously,” Johnson said. “But I don’t hope anything bad happens to Will. The one-play mindset is something that I will have. If Will goes in there and does the same thing he did last year and dominates I’m going to be happy for him. I feel like him and Adrian Martinez had a great relationship last year, so I just want what’s best for the team. I want to see the team win. That’s just kind of the person I’ve always been.”
Johnson is eager to help the Wildcats build off what they accomplished last season, even if it means eating 5,000 calories per day.
His only goal for his K-State career at the moment: “A lot of winning.”
“I have personal goals, but to be honest, the team goals mean more to me than any personal goal could be,” Johnson said, “whether that is winning the Big 12 or playing for a national championship. I just like to play football and I like to win football games.”