FRISCO, TX — Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson said he has yet to discuss the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility rules with his family. The new rules would allow him to play a fifth season of college football in 2027 if he desired.
Johnson, entering his fourth season at Kansas State and his third as the team’s starter, could be one of the many beneficiaries of the new rules adopted in late June, which allow athletes to participate for up to five years, beginning after they enroll in college or turn 19. It eliminates redshirt rules and eligibility extension waivers.
“I think if I needed another year to play college football, it’s something I’d look into,” Johnson said at K-State’s Big 12 Media Day appearance in Frisco, Texas, on Wednesday, July 8. “It’s not something I’ve talked to my family about or even something I’ve thought of this year. I’m kinda more focused on the season. It’s time to see how this season goes; I’m looking forward to the season, and that’s something that I think we’ll all just deal with after.”
New Kansas State coach Collin Klein told the Capital-Journal that he has discussed the new eligibility model with his quarterback, though he wasn’t applying full-court pressure to get him back in purple in 2027 already.
The Wildcats enter the 2026 season with three other quarterbacks on the roster, including Blake Barnett, Jacob Knuth and Dillon Duff. They have a three-star 2027 quarterback committed in Cam Kruse.
“I talked to him about it before it even happened, and I said, ‘Listen, I think this is gonna be favorable, and it will give you at least some flexibility,'” Klein said. “I said, ‘Let’s put our head down and have the best season we possibly can and do what’s best for you at the end of it.’ That’s truly where my heart is behind it, and that’s what he needs to do.”
Johnson spoke openly about his desire to play in the NFL, where early big boards and mocks haven’t been too kind to him amid what is considered a good quarterback class. There are scenarios in which Johnson would make more money by continuing as a Power 4 starting quarterback than as a late-round pick or undrafted free agent.
Johnson is also knocking on the door of several career passing records at Kansas State. He is tied for the school’s record in touchdown passes; he’s fourth in completions and sixth in passing yards.
Though Johnson said he has yet to discuss the potential of returning to college for a fifth season, he gave his thoughts on the rule, saying that he believes athletes should be limited to playing just four years.
“I think you should get one redshirt, medical or non-medical, and then you should just play four years,” Johnson said. “It’s just weird seeing people play professional, like a professional baseball player and then come back and play college football. It’s just, I don’t know. Maybe they set an age limit on the different sports.”
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State QB Avery Johnson talks possible 5th year after new NCAA rules
