A Deep Quarterback Room

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein, in his first appearance during preseason camp on Monday, said that it's been "really fun" to see senior Will Howard continue to grow as full-time starting quarterback, adding that sophomore Jake Rubley "has had his best camp since he's been here," while true freshman Avery Johnson "has put himself into a position to truly run the offense and compete."

It all adds up to what should be a healthy quarterback room for Klein, the longtime quarterbacks coach and second-year offensive coordinator, whose aggressive style coupled by the talent of his signal-callers could translate into the defending Big 12 champions scorching scoreboards this fall.

Under Howard, the Wildcats averaged 36 points per game over the last seven games of 2022, which ranked first in the Big 12 and 12^th among Power 5 teams. The Wildcats finished No. 9 in the final CFP poll and went 10-4 with an appearance against No. 5 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

K-State was picked No. 16 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll announced on Monday. It was the first time the Wildcats were ranked in the preseason AP poll since 2017 and it was their highest ranking since beginning the year at No. 13 in 2004. The Wildcats open their season against SEMO on September 2 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

"It's been really fun to watch (Howard) be able to really take the reins as the starting quarterback," Klein said. "He's working on his craft constantly. From a footwork standpoint to an arm-talent standpoint, he's improved with how he's spinning it. For him to truly work our offense and how he has a lot of autonomy in it, and his ability to adjust and work on things, and how he's able to take advantage of that and grow into that, has been tremendous."

Howard was among the most-efficient passers during the second half of last season and became the first quarterback in school history to fire multiple touchdown passes in six-straight games. That included a school record-tying four touchdown passes in a 48-0 win over No. 9 Oklahoma State.

It's been quite a climb for the 6-foot-5, 242-pound Howard, who was thrust into action each of his first three seasons. During Howard's first media appearance in preseason camp, he appeared noticeably loose.

"I'm having a ton of fun," said Howard, who completed 60% of his passes for 1,633 yards with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions in seven appearances with five starts last season. "It's a lot better than some of the past fall camps, just my mentality overall and confidence. When I was a young kid, I was out there and might make a bad throw or a bad play and I'd question myself, but now because I've kind of made it out the other side a little bit per se. I don't get down on myself.

"My confidence is so much better that I'm not questioning my ability if I make a bad throw. It's 'I'm better than that.' I'm still ticked off if I make a bad throw, but I know I'm better and I don't question myself."

Backup quarterback remains a topic of intrigue, as Rubley (4-of-5 passing for 42 yards with one interception in 2022) and Johnson (ranked as the No. 1 dual-threat passer in the Class of 2023) have both made strides over the past several months.

"Jake Rubley has had his best camp since he's been here," Klein said. "He's really growing and has grown in the understanding of the offense and is battling with Avery there. Obviously, it's amazing – anymore it's not necessarily a depth chart but it's about having a true depth that's able to play, heaven forbid anything happen like some of the things we've experienced."

Howard continues to witness Rubley's progression within the offense as well.

"Jake's just gotten better every year since he's been here," Howard said. "You can tell the game is slowing down for him a little bit. He's always been able to make really good throws. It's more the decision making, and he's continuing to make strides in that."

One week after K-State head coach Chris Klieman said that Johnson would make "quantum leaps" as he continued to learn the schematics and better understood defenses, Klein said that Johnson remains behind Rubley "right now," while adding that Johnson is "doing a tremendous job."

The 6-foot-2, 188-pound Johnson, a native of Wichita, was named 2022 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 2,768 yards with 29 touchdowns and three interceptions to go along with 817 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns his senior season. Johnson arrived on campus as a mid-year enrollee and participated in spring workouts.

"It's pretty amazing to watch a true freshman work has hard as he has to put himself into a position to truly run the offense and compete," Klein said. "He's done a tremendous job with that. He hasn't been overwhelmed and has really done some nice things throwing and running the football, so we're really excited about him."

Asked whether Johnson could potentially redshirt this season, Klein pointed to the situation that faced Howard in 2022. The Wildcats brought in Adrian Martinez from Nebraska last season with the intention that Howard would redshirt. It was only after Martinez suffered an injury that Howard sprang into action, ultimately taking the Wildcats to their first league title in 10 years.

"I tell you what, I feel like the last few years have really slowed my want to even try to project certain situations just because there are so many unknowns. Obviously, we projected (a redshirt) last year with Will," Klein said. "When I answered that question last year about Will that's what I said, and obviously the twists and turns of it and how it went down, it worked out how it worked out.

"Really at this point in time, we've got to just ultimately get each of those guys as ready to play as they possibility can and having them understand that it's about team first – just like Will had to do last year – and we have to put our team into a position to win from the quarterback position. However that shakes out, we'll try to do what's in the best interest for each of those kids."

At a time that Rubley is enjoying his best camp, Howard is comforted in also having Johnson as a potential option to fill the backup role.

"To see some of the progression that he's made from this spring to this fall is astronomical," Howard said. "He gets it. He's understanding the game and wants to understand the game more and understand our offense. He's an incredible athlete, so he makes some crazy plays and crazy throws. He's about as athletic as they come.

"Anytime that dude scrambles, I'm telling Coach Klieman that's a touchdown right there, nobody is touching him. He's been very impressive. For the future of K-State football, you're going to be in good hands."

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Will Howard

Avery Johnson

Adrian Martinez

Jake Rubley

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