College Football Fans Tease Kansas State's Avery Johnson To Tennessee

Fans link K-State quarterback Avery Johnson to Tennessee after the departure of Nico Iamaleava.

Aug 31, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

The Tennessee Volunteers are moving on from quarterback Nico Iamaleava after his NIL holdout.

College football fans couldn't help themselves trolling in fake transfer proposals. They linked Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson to Tennessee as its next signal caller.

🚨BREAKING:@DerekYoungKSO has told me Tennessee has reached out to Kansas State QB Avery Johnson, the two sides are expected to have mutual interest. pic.twitter.com/e3hqsVL4dD

— CB’s Burner #CrankTheHog (@CBsBurner2) April 12, 2025

SOURCE: Tennessee HC Josh Heupel has reached out to Kansas State QB Avery Johnson pic.twitter.com/Xj7vUMx7k5

— the wheel (real) 2 (@thewheelreal2) April 12, 2025

Johnson had 2,712 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, with 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore season.

"Any chance Tennessee goes after Dampier? I’ve heard their fans talk about him along with Avery Johnson and Sawyer Robertson," one user tweeted.

Any chance Tennessee goes after Dampier? I’ve heard their fans talk about him along with Avery Johnson and Sawyer Robertson.

— Raider Army 🏴‍☠️ (@raiderarmy98) April 12, 2025

Thankfully, Kansas State fans can be reassured with Johnson's place in Manhattan, KS. The Wildcats junior discussed his championship aspirations before the Rate Bowl victory in December.

"Being a Kansas kid, I still feel like there's still stuff left to prove here," Johnson said. "I think we can be a really talented team. I feel like we can play for a Big 12 championship and then play in the College Football Playoffs. It's just a lot of unfinished business here at Kansas State, and really just the people. The coaches, the strength staff, the support staff. They really teach and mold you into a better man, and this is really just the place I wanted to be. I don't really know how to put it into words, but I didn't really wanna be anywhere else."

Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.