Collin Klein's Kansas State Rides Avery Johnson and an Elite Front

Kansas State opens a new era in 2026, with Collin Klein taking over as head coach and a dynamic offense to build around. The Wildcats project to finish 8-4 and are favored in all but one game. Klein inherits a quarterback who can win games by himself and a defensive front that grades among the best in the country, which is a strong place for a first-year head coach to start.

A dynamic quarterback and a dominant front

Avery Johnson is the centerpiece, a dual-threat quarterback whose grade sits near the top of the Big 12. He makes the offense go with his legs and his arm, and Jay Harris gives the backfield a productive complement. The tight end room grades near the very top of the sport, and the receiver group is solid, so Johnson has the pieces to be the conference's most exciting player.

On defense, the line is the calling card, grading among the best fronts in the country. Led by tackles Kamari Burns and Uso Seumalo, it is a unit that can wreck a game in the backfield and take pressure off the rest of the defense.

A rebuilt back seven and a young line

The questions are on the edges. Kansas State's offensive line grades well below the rest of the roster, which puts more pressure on Johnson to create outside of structure. On defense, the linebacker and secondary groups both grade near the bottom, which is a real concern against the Big 12's better passing attacks. An elite front can hide a lot, but a shaky back seven can still get exposed by a quarterback who has time.

For a first-year staff, integrating those groups is the central project of the season. If the line and secondary come together, Kansas State is a contender. If they lag, the Wildcats will win shootouts and lose a few they cannot close.

A favorable schedule

The path helps. The only projected loss is a home date against Arizona, and the closest remaining games are a home matchup with Houston, road trips to Arizona State and TCU, and a home game with Oklahoma State. All of those are winnable, and the Wildcats are favored or close in each.

That is the kind of slate that lets a new head coach and a rebuilt roster bank wins while the pieces settle. Win the toss-ups and Kansas State is in the Big 12 race in Klein's first year.

Bottom line

Expect 8-4 to open the Collin Klein era. Kansas State has a dynamic quarterback in Avery Johnson, an elite defensive front, and a schedule that offers no team it should fear on paper. The offensive line and the back seven are the groups that will determine whether this is a good first year or a great one. The building blocks of a contender are here.