K-State Q&A: Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens, transfers and a bowl prediction for Wildcats
It’s time for another K-State Q&A.
No need for an elaborate introduction this week. Let’s dive right into your questions about the Wildcats.
What is your prediction for Kansas State’s bowl game? - Jeff M. via e-mail.
I am expecting Kansas State to play in the Rate Bowl on Dec. 26 in Phoenix.
The opponent will be a middle-of-the-pack team from the Big Ten like Michigan, Minnesota or Rutgers.
If things play out differently K-State could end up in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27 in Fort Worth. The opponent would likely be Navy.
K-State would prefer to play in the Rate Bowl. The Wildcats seem to play in that bowl game every time it gets a new name, going all the way back to when it was called the Copper Bowl. And fans have enjoyed their trips to Arizona, most recently in 2017 when K-State beat UCLA 35-17 in the Cactus Bowl.
The Armed Forces Bowl would also be fine, but some are conflicted about playing a service academy in a bowl. Maybe that could help with Army on deck next season. But preparing for a triple-option offense makes it hard to focus on development during bowl practices.
And that is something that head coach Chris Klieman values this time of year.
Some have predicted that K-State will end up in the Liberty Bowl. But the Wildcats have made it clear they aren’t ready to go back to Memphis after their two recent trips there. That leaves the Rate Bowl as the next best option.
I think everyone was disappointed in how the season ended. Any theory as to what happened after the strong start? Players, coaching, too many expectations from fans, or something else? -@prairiehiker via X.
Kansas State’s collapse from 7-1 to 8-4 was a collective effort.
On offense: The Wildcats lost their identity. K-State was a dominant rushing team in its first eight games. It gained yards behind DJ Giddens, Dylan Edwards and Avery Johnson. The Wildcats averaged 223 rushing yards in those games, including a trip to West Virginia when they decided to throw for 298 yards. But then their rushing game disappeared in losses to Houston (89 yards), Arizona State (154 yards) and Iowa State (144 yards).
I think defensive coordinators figured out Conor Riley’s scheme and he didn’t know how to adjust. One game, Edwards would get a bunch of extra work. Next game, Johnson would run a bunch. Next game, the Wildcats would chuck it 40 times. There was no rhyme or reason to any of it.
On defense: Too many quarterbacks played like Patrick Mahomes against K-State. Houston completed all 12 of its pass attempts in a monsoon. Sam Leavitt threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns. Rocco Becht attempted 35 passes and the Wildcats were unable to intercept any of them. The Wildcats need to upgrade their secondary.
Coaching: Klieman has a bad habit of losing games when Kansas State is favored by a touchdown or more. Under his leadership, the Wildcats have struggled to handle success at times. They also fail to take advantage of bye weeks. And he can’t seem to beat Iowa State. All of those things hurt K-State down the stretch.
Fan disappointment: The results make a little more sense when you look at the final Big 12 standings. Everyone thought beating Arizona and Oklahoma State was a big deal in September, but those teams were hapless. Nobody thought BYU or Arizona State would be any good. They both won 10 games. The only truly frustrating result was the 24-19 loss at Houston. K-State led that game 19-10 in the fourth quarter and totally choked.
Will Avery Johnson be back or get a big NIL deal somewhere else? What other players will go into the portal? -@fretrman via X.
I fully expect Avery Johnson to be the starting quarterback at Kansas State next season.
He has been actively recruiting outside players to join the K-State football roster since the regular season came to an end. He is also pushing his current teammates, including top wide receiver Jayce Brown, to stay in Manhattan so they can finish what they started with the Wildcats.
Why would he do that if he was planning to transfer?
It seems like he is all-in on another year with the Wildcats. And why not? He is the starting quarterback here, he drives a lavender corvette here and he is a NIL king here.
You can never say never about anything college sports anymore. But I will be shocked if K-State is in the market for a new quarterback.
Who will transfer? A small group of K-State players have already announced their departure plans. Terry Kirksey joined them on Thursday. There will be more when the transfer portal opens on Monday.
Will DJ Giddens be back? -@willieswildcat1 via X.
The smart move is for DJ Giddens to turn pro.
Running backs have a shorter football life than many other positions, so if you’re good enough to play in the NFL you’re usually better off making the jump than staying in college and taking hits as an “amateur.”
When Deuce Vaughn left a year early for the pros he said it simply wasn’t in his best interests to carry the ball another 300 times in college, even though he loved playing for K-State.
Giddens gained 1,601 all-purpose yards and scored eight touchdowns on 226 touches this season.
So I am expecting Giddens to turn pro.
That being said, this is a guy who marches to the beat of his own dream. He’s from Junction City, he loves to fish and he didn’t start playing football full time until his final two years of high school. He may have more tread on his tires than other college running backs. It’s possible he wants to stick around Manhattan for another year if the right NIL deal comes along.
What’s more important -- your recruiting class or the transfer portal? What areas do you think they will address with the portal? -@ChadFullington via X.
I’m not sure one is more important than the other. You have to do both to win anymore in college football.
Look at Clemson. The Tigers prioritize high school recruiting and completely ignore the transfer portal. But that program has been slipping ever since transfers became more prevalent.
On the flip side, Mississippi can’t seem to break into the upper echelon of the SEC by furiously attacking the portal.
The best teams have a balance when it comes to adding new players.
I would expect K-State to look for a backup quarterback, veteran wide receivers and talented defensive backs in the portal.
What is the likelihood of Chris Klieman hiring a new OC from outside the ranks? -@BusMedicMike via X.
Low.
Klieman brought Courtney Messingham with him from North Dakota State. He hired from within to replace Messingham when he gave the job to Collin Klein. Then he promoted Conor Riley when Klein left for Texas A&M.
He hasn’t looked outside his personal coaching tree yet. Why would he change now?
He did hire Matt Wells as co-offensive coordinator this past season. It’s possible he could play a larger role in game planning next season. But I haven’t heard a word about potential staff changes. Things can always change, but right now I’m operating under the assumption that Riley will continue to call plays next season.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "K-State Q&A: Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens, transfers and a bowl prediction for Wildcats."