Why Avery Johnson Said No to Transfer Portal Opportunities

In an era when transfer whispers follow nearly every prospect, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson stands out for one rare reason: loyalty.

His father, Mark Johnson, recently shared that despite tempting opportunities elsewhere, Avery remains wholly committed to K-State.

“Avery is just not interested in anything other than leading his guys and leading K-State,” Johnson’s father said. “I’m telling you, there’s been more money, maybe more opportunity, maybe playing with better athletes. But he uses the experiences from the last two years and doesn’t want to talk to anybody else. He wants to finish what he set out to do.” That kind of old-school dedication has become all but extinct in modern college football.

With elite quarterbacks transferring more frequently than ever, Johnson’s case feels both refreshing and rooted in tradition. According to his father, the phone kept ringing, not just during recruitment but even as recently as signing day.

Still, Avery focused solely on the program he built, the teammates he holds close, and the vision he joined when he first stepped on campus. Mark added, “There have been times when I’ve thought it would be good practice to just have those conversations. But Avery has wanted no parts of it.”

That level of clarity speaks volumes about his maturity and his belief in what the Wildcats are building. He wears the uniform with intention and purpose, a quarterback who sees more than just his individual path. With him in the huddle, Kansas State fans know they are getting leadership grounded in history, identity, and a shared goal.

Only a few elite QB recruits have stayed put in recent years. Avery Johnson is not just one of them. He might be the rare one focused on finishing the mission exactly where he started.