The quarterback room is the biggest obstacle as Kansas State football enters a new era ahead of the 2026 campaign.
This offseason, the Wildcats made a number of adjustments, beginning with the appointment of a former K-State quarterback and 2012 Collin Klein, a Heisman finalist, following Chris Klieman’s December retirement announcement. Christian Ellsworth, the program’s first-year quarterbacks coach, is among the new personnel with high expectations as the season draws near.
Christian Ellsworth’s resume and what it means to be a Kansas State quarterback
In preparation for the 2026 season, Ellsworth is taking on his first coaching position as a quarterback. He played quarterback for Northern Iowa from 2016 to 2019 before coming back to The Little Apple. Later, in 2024, he worked as a tight ends coach and senior offensive analyst for Klein at Texas A&M for two seasons.
Along the way, Ellsworth briefly worked as an offensive analyst at Nebraska and as a graduate assistant in South Carolina. Additionally, he worked as a graduate assistant at K-State from 2020 to 2021. He is now back where he started his coaching career, and his hiring is a perfect fit with Klein’s motto: “it’s family business.”
Ellsworth claims that one of the top quarterbacks in the nation isn’t the only one considering the Wildcats’ position. It is the clear winner of the dispute.
According to a statement issued by Kansas State Athletics, Ellsworth stated, “It’s a position at K-State that has a rich tradition of success and history.” “It is a great honor.”
Ellsworth praises Avery Johnson ahead of the 2026 season
The third-year quarterback, who started every game for the Wildcats last season, has shown Ellsworth nothing but growth and potential.
He’s among the best in the nation, in my opinion,” Ellsworth remarked. “We have everything in place to complete that, but there is still a lot of work to be done to prove that.”
In 2023, Johnson began his career as a backup quarterback for former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. If that name seems familiar, it’s because he was the Ohio State Buckeyes’ quarterback in the 2024 national championship. Johnson did not transfer, despite the fact that he did not start in his debut season. He has completed 59% of his throws in 2025 and thrown for 43 touchdowns and over 5,000 yards in the last two seasons.
In terms of throwing behind current Utah quarterback Devon Dampier, Johnson ended the 2025 season ranked eleventh in the Big 12. He ranked among the top five quarterbacks at his position with a rating of 146.8.
Ellsworth remarked, “It’s been amazing to watch [Johnson] develop as a leader on and off the field.” “He wants to be challenged because he is very intelligent.”
The Dillons Sunflower Showdown will return to Manhattan as one of the Wildcats’ seven home games scheduled for the 2026 year. Arizona, Oklahoma State, Kansas, and Houston will all be hosted by Kansas State.
Nonconference games versus Tulane Green Wave, Washington State, and Nicholls are among the other home games. The schedule also includes upcoming road games against Iowa State, TCU, Colorado, Arizona State, and Cincinnati.
