By Dorrington Myers
The old saying holds true: “If you have talent, they will find you.” These two quarterbacks can definitely play. Young, talented, and already proven on the national stage, Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht are players to watch.
Johnson led Kansas State to a thrilling 44-41 victory over Rutgers in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, throwing for three touchdowns and adding another on the ground. On the other side, Becht guided Iowa State to a dramatic 42-41 win over Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, matching Johnson with three passing touchdowns and one rushing score. These two have history, too,. Becht’s Cyclones came out on top in their head-to-head meeting last November, winning 29-21. This rematch adds an intriguing layer to an already compelling story when they meet to kickoff the 2025 season in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on Aug. 23 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State Wildcats
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2024 stats: 2,712 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 7 rushing touchdowns
Strengths: Mobility, playmaker instincts, RPO wizard, pocket presence, vocal leadership
Last season, Johnson made the kind of mistakes you’d expect from a freshman quarterback. But as the year progressed, he showed clear growth and maturity as a passer, all while continuing to be a game changer with his legs. Heading into this season, I believe Johnson is due for a breakout year, one that surpasses his previous production. He’s a self-starter and a fierce competitor, which means the Wildcats are in good hands. Expect a significant jump in his passing efficiency as he takes the next step in his development.
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Rocco Becht, Iowa State Cyclones
2024 stats: 3,505 yards, 25 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 8 rushing touchdowns
Strengths: Polished passer, football IQ, consistent mechanics, command of the offense, mobility
Iowa State has struck gold with Becht. They’ve got a bona fide star under center. Becht came close to leading the Cyclones to a College Football Playoff berth but fell short against Arizona State in the Dr. Pepper Big 12 Championship. Still, he delivered two touchdown passes in that game and showed why he’s one of the most promising young passers in the country. He does a lot of things well, and if he continues to develop, this could be the season he takes the next step and solidifies his NFL draft stock.
Key Questions
Johnson: Can he maintain his impact in the run game while taking the next step in development as a passer?
Becht: Can he continue to operate the offense with poise while sharpening his timing and touch on intermediate and deep throws?
Final remarks
With the 2025 season approaching, Johnson and Becht are prepared to lead their offenses with confidence and precision. Johnson, with his explosive athleticism and continued growth as a passer, brings a fresh dynamic that can tilt any game in Kansas State’s favor. Meanwhile, Becht has proven himself as one of the most poised and polished young passers in the country, with the tools to elevate Iowa State’s offense and his own draft stock.
Both quarterbacks have shown flashes of greatness, and 2025 may be the year they put it all together.
