The question hanging over Manhattan, Kansas this offseason is a tantalizing one, and frankly, it’s the only one that matters for a program with the pedigree of Kansas State: Can the Wildcats claw their way back to the Big 12 Championship game in 2024? On paper, the pieces seem to be there. A veteran quarterback in Avery Johnson, who showed flashes of brilliance as a true freshman, a typically stout and disciplined defense under the guidance of coordinator Joe Klanderman, and the steady, culture-defining leadership of Chris Klieman. The optimism is palpable, and I’ve felt it myself talking to folks around the program. But as I look at the landscape, my mind keeps drifting to an unexpected parallel from a completely different sport—the situation with Jia de Guzman and the Creamline Cool Smashers in Philippine volleyball.
You see, the news that Jia de Guzman, the brilliant setter and floor captain, is still not with Creamline for their ongoing conference campaign is a seismic story in that league. It’s not just about losing a skilled player; it’s about losing the system’s brain, the on-court coach, the irreplaceable connective tissue that makes a collection of talented individuals a cohesive, championship-caliber unit. Creamline has other stars, phenomenal attackers, but the uncertainty at the setter position creates a palpable instability. They might win a lot of games on talent alone, but the quest for another title feels inherently fragile without that central, orchestrating force. This, in my view, is the precise lens through which to examine Kansas State’s 2024 aspirations. The Wildcats have talent, sure. But have they adequately addressed their own version of the “setter” question—the critical, central void that separates good teams from title contenders?
For K-State, that void is explosively clear: the wide receiver room. Let’s be brutally honest. Last season, the passing attack often felt anemic, ranking a dismal 9th in the Big 12 in passing yards per game at just under 230. The departure of Phillip Brooks and the inconsistent play from others left a gaping hole. Avery Johnson’s dual-threat capability is electrifying—he rushed for over 290 yards and 7 touchdowns in limited action—but for this team to level up, he must become a consistent passer. And he can’t do that alone. The Wildcats brought in a trio of transfer receivers: Jayce Brown from UCF, Dante Cephas from Penn State (who had a quieter-than-expected 2023 in Manhattan), and the intriguing addition of Jaden Smith from UTEP. On paper, it’s a necessary and aggressive overhaul. But here’s where my skepticism, born from years of watching roster transitions, creeps in. It’s one thing to acquire parts; it’s another to build chemistry, timing, and trust, especially with a young quarterback. Creamline can plug in a substitute setter, but the nuanced, telepathic connections de Guzman had with her hitters took years to forge. How quickly can Johnson forge that with a largely new group? If this receiver corps doesn’t coalesce by mid-October, the ceiling for this team shrinks considerably, no matter how good the defense or running game might be.
Speaking of defense, that’s where my confidence grows. The Wildcats return a core that should keep them in every game. Linebacker Austin Moore is a tackling machine, coming off a 101-tackle season, and the secondary, led by safety Kobe Savage, has the potential to be among the conference's best. I expect this unit to be nasty, physical, and fundamentally sound—a hallmark of Klieman’s teams. They’ll give the offense chances. The schedule, too, offers a path. Avoiding Texas and Oklahoma in their final Big 12 year is a gift, and key conference games against Iowa State, Colorado, and the crucial season-ender against Kansas are at home in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The road trip to face a rebuilt West Virginia in Morgantown in late November looms large, however. Realistically, I see a floor of about 7 wins, but the upside? If Johnson makes the fabled "Year 2 leap" and a true number one receiver emerges from that transfer group, 9 or even 10 wins is possible. That could very well be enough to get to Arlington for the championship game in a wide-open Big 12.
So, can they return to contention? My answer is a cautious, hopeful "yes, but." Yes, the structure is there. The coaching is elite, the culture is strong, and the defense will win them games they have no business winning. But—and it’s a significant but—their championship fate is inextricably tied to the resolution of their "Jia de Guzman" problem. Creamline’s season hinges on whether their star setter returns and instantly re-synchs the engine. Kansas State’s season hinges on whether an entirely new receiver unit can gel and become that reliable, playmaking engine for Avery Johnson. The potential is undeniable, and as a fan of tough, smart football, I’m rooting for them to figure it out. The pieces are on the table for Chris Klieman. Now, we wait to see if the Wildcats can assemble them into a masterpiece, or if the puzzle remains frustratingly incomplete, leaving them just on the outside of the championship picture once again. The journey starts this fall, and all eyes will be on that passing game.
