Kansas State fans have been begging for it all season. And now, offensive coordinator Matt Wells has finally said the quiet part out loud — he wants Avery Johnson to run the football more.
Why This Matters
For weeks, K-State’s offense has been searching for an identity. Sitting at 1–3 overall and 0–1 in Big 12 play, the Wildcats look nothing like the contender they were projected to be. The lack of a consistent rushing attack from their most dynamic weapon, Johnson, has been a major reason.
On the Chris Klieman Show, Wells openly admitted:
“There are times where I wish he’d run a little bit more… I do want to see him run more. He can help us. Absolutely.”
For a staff that’s been hesitant to fully unleash Johnson as a dual-threat, this is a major shift.
The Catch
Wells also insisted Johnson isn’t a “15-carry guy” because of his body type. That raises questions. Lamar Jackson had nearly identical measurables in college and had no problem handling that workload. At this point in the season, Kansas State doesn’t have the luxury of holding back their best playmaker.
If Johnson gives you the best chance to win, you ride him — carries, hits, and all.
Offensive Identity Check
Wells’ comments came with other key notes about the offense:
- Offensive Line Issues: He admitted protection breakdowns, even hinting that one lineman (likely J.B. Nelson) has been a weak link.
- Receiver Room Growth: Jayce Brown’s playmaking continues, while Jaron Tibbs’ size and versatility are giving Johnson the needed help.
- Linkon Cure Debut: The freshman finally saw snaps vs. Arizona, with Wells calling his ceiling “sky-high.”
- RB Situation: With Dylan Edwards out, someone else in the running back room must step up — fast.
- Backup QB Battle: Wells revealed none of the backups (Barnett, Duff, or Knuff) have separated in practice, a possible reason the staff is cautious about Johnson’s workload.
What’s Next
The Wildcats face UCF after the bye week, and Wells’ comments suggest fans could finally see Johnson unleashed as a true dual-threat quarterback. But will the staff follow through? Or was this lip service to appease a restless fan base?
One thing is clear: if Kansas State wants to salvage its Big 12 hopes, Avery Johnson’s legs can’t stay locked up.
