MANHATTAN — Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman is known for being measured in his statements.
Thus, when he commented on wide receiver Keagan Johnson’s significant potential early in preseason camp, it stood out.
“Keagan Johnson is a guy that if we can keep him healthy, I think he is one of the best wide receivers in the Big 12, and our staff recognizes that too,” Klieman said about Johnson, a junior and former transfer from Iowa. “He keeps getting better.”
Maintaining Johnson’s health was crucial during his first season with the Wildcats, as injuries sidelined him for much of the year, leading to him playing in 11 games with five starts. He also redshirted his sophomore year at Iowa in 2022 due to a season-ending injury two games into the season.
The Wildcats will kick off their 2024 season at 6 p.m. Saturday against Tennessee-Martin at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Now that he is back in top shape, Johnson is making an impact again, impressing both his teammates and coaches with his playmaking skills in practice. He is also beginning to establish himself in other areas off the field.
“He’s definitely more focused this year, and I think his biggest improvement came during the offseason,” said quarterback Avery Johnson. “He really embraced a leadership role. Although he is usually quiet and reserved, we needed him to be more vocal this offseason, because when he does speak, he offers valuable insights.”
There’s no doubt about the 6-foot, 206-pound Johnson’s ability to get open and catch passes. However, he mentioned that his approach this offseason has been more mature and balanced.
“I experienced a lot of ups and downs last season, both known and unknown, so I now have a new perspective,” Johnson said, having caught 24 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. “I’m focusing more on a day-to-day mindset, avoiding extremes in my emotions.”
“I’m trying to stay even-keeled, and I believe my outlook has become more mature and level-headed, which has worked to my advantage.”
Johnson really excelled toward the end of last season, making 16 of his 24 catches and scoring both of his touchdowns in the final five games. He achieved a career-high with seven receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown at Texas, and he also recorded three catches for 31 yards each against Baylor and North Carolina State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
“I’ve always had great respect and admiration for Keagan, going back to when I recruited his older brothers at my previous school (North Dakota State), and even when I recruited him,” said offensive coordinator Conor Riley. “His final choices came down to us and Iowa, and I’ve always been impressed by his maturity.”
“I’ve seen significant growth in his confidence, which comes from being part of the program and understanding the daily expectations. I truly admire him as a young man.”
Johnson demonstrated early on that he had the potential to be a game-changer, starting nine games as a true freshman at Iowa and recording 18 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 19.6 yards per reception.
“I believe that if I can stay healthy, the future looks promising, but I can’t focus too much on what’s ahead right now,” Johnson stated. “We have some practices scheduled after camp before the season begins, so I’m taking it day by day. I don’t know what tomorrow holds; anything could happen, so I’m concentrating on the present.”
As for Klieman’s endorsement?
“I think it’s fantastic,” Johnson remarked. “Every player wants their head coach to show that level of respect and praise for their performance.”
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