Should Kansas State expect more good news from recruits Dylan Edwards, Avery Johnson?
Kansas State is on a hot streak when it comes to football recruiting, and there are no signs of a cold front approaching Manhattan on the radar.
Chris Klieman could metaphorically turn up the temperature even higher during the first week of summer if a pair of coveted recruits from the Wichita area choose the Wildcats over a host of other prominent suitors.
First up is Derby running back Dylan Edwards. The 5-foot-9 playmaker who boasts 22 scholarship offers will announce his college decision at noon on Thursday with a ceremony at his high school. He is expected to choose between K-State, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Not long afterward, Maize quarterback Avery Johnson will make his college decision. Though he hasn’t announced a timeline, his father told The Eagle that he is hoping to commit at some point between June 26 and July 5. It will most likely happen immediately before or after he competes at the prestigious Elite 11 QB Finals early next week in Los Angeles. Johnson is coming off recruiting visits to K-State, Oregon and Washington. Those are his top three schools.
Both Edwards and Johnson remain tight-lipped on their college plans, but K-State fans are growing optimistic that they favor the Wildcats.
Their confidence is high for a few reasons. For starters, K-State has been winning recruiting battles lately. The Wildcats have already lined up six recruits during the 2023 cycle, and four of them are prominent in-state players.
Piper offensive lineman Camden Beebe was the first to commit, followed by Kapaun tight end Will Anciaux, Collegiate safety Wesley Fair, and Blue Valley receiver Andre Davis. A pair of out-of-state recruits also committed on Tuesday — safety Kameron Sallis of Kennedale, Texas and linebacker Collin Dunn of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Perhaps that positive momentum will continue when two of the highest rated recruits in the Sunflower State make their decisions.
Signs do point to Edwards and Johnson choosing the Wildcats.
Edwards made an official visit to K-State last weekend and then promptly canceled the rest of his recruiting trips and set an announcement date. That could be an indication that the Wildcats made a strong impression.
Nebraska is still in play, of course, and Edwards has spoken highly of Oklahoma in the past. But the Sooners have already landed a pair of other 2023 running backs, making them less of a contender for his services.
Edwards also has family ties to the Wildcats, as his father, Leon, played running back for Bill Snyder from 1992-94.
If he chooses the Wildcats that could perhaps influence Johnson’s decision. Johnson, a four-star quarterback who has received 24 scholarship offers, has previously said he would like to team up with Edwards in college. But he views it more as a bonus than a must.
Johnson is taking a more methodical approach with his decision. He enjoyed his visits to Washington, K-State and Oregon. Now he is reflecting on them and choosing which team suits him best.
K-State and Oregon seem like that favorites. Johnson grew up liking the Ducks and their flashy uniforms, but the Wildcats have recruited him the longest and have made him their top QB priority.
There is a slim possibility that Johnson could wait and see if his performance at the Elite 11 Finals sparks new interest from other schools before making a decision, but Johnson has said he would prefer to commit sooner than later. The family is currently looking into making his announcement via a live stream on CBS Sports.
“Avery is tired of the recruiting process,” his father added. “He wants to get it over with.”
We will soon learn where both Edwards and Johnson plan to play college football. Their choices will mean a great deal for K-State no matter what they decide.
This story was originally published June 22, 2022 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Should Kansas State expect more good news from recruits Dylan Edwards, Avery Johnson?."