Avery Johnson reaffirms his loyalty to Kansas State by announcing new football number

Avery Johnson will wear a new number on his Kansas State football jersey next season.

That wouldn’t normally register as significant news, as players switch numbers all the time for a wide variety of reasons. But this particular change is very important for the Wildcats.

Why? Because it signifies that Johnson remains fully committed to his future at K-State even after offensive coordinator Collin Klein decided to take over play-calling duties at Texas A&M.

Fans can breathe easy. It looks like Johnson will lead the Wildcats when they return to the field later this month at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. And he will then return as QB1 next season ... wearing the No. 2 instead of the No. 5.

“Although my number changed,” Johnson said in a video announcement, “our mission hasn’t.”

Johnson, a 6-foot-2 freshman quarterback from Wichita, has worn the No. 2 throughout his football life. It was on his jersey when he played youth football for his father. It was on his jersey when he became a four-star recruit at Maize. And it will return to his jersey next season with the Wildcats.

He played well in the No. 5 this season, though.

Johnson finished the regular season with 301 yards and three touchdowns as a passer to go along with 225 yards and six touchdowns as a runner.

It was unclear how much Johnson would play right away with Will Howard returning as the team’s unquestioned starter at quarterback this year. But Johnson was so good that he got on the field in seven games and even matched a program record in one of them.

Johnson’s highlight of the year came against Texas Tech when he rushed for 90 yards and a school record five touchdowns.

He established himself as the K-State QB of the future that day.

Now, he is also the K-State QB of the present. Fellow quarterbacks Jake Rubley, Adryan Lara and Howard all decided to transfer earlier this month in large part because they knew Johnson was ready to take over the position.

Johnson will be able to showcase his full talents against North Carolina State on Dec. 28 in Orlando. Things may look a little different while he wears the No. 2 on his chest. But fans will need to get used to it. He doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.