Avery Johnson, nation's No. 12 quarterback, planning imminent decision; Oregon, Kansas State, Washington top contenders

Maize High School (Kansas) quarterback Avery Johnson is slated for a massive month of June.

The 6-foot-2, 170-pound signal-caller, rated the nation's No. 12 quarterback, has already taken official visits to Washington and Kansas State, but has a trip set for Oregon this weekend.

Johnson's plan is to weigh his options, make a commitment next week and then arrive to compete at the Elite 11 Finals in Redondo Beach, California to close out the month.

"I packed up June, picked three schools... and left that last week open in case something changed," he said. "Right now, I'm waiting to go to Oregon, spend the following week finalizing some stuff and then committing before the Elite 11 on June 28. It could be the 27th, or even a few days before that... but within this next week or two I plan on being committed." 

Washington was the first to host Johnson, and the Huskies made a positive impression.

Even if the weather didn't cooperate. 

"Going in, I didn't know what to expect.I'd never been to Seattle, so I didn't know what to expect other than rain - and we got that pretty much every day I was there," he said. "I had a lot of fun. We did a lot of cool stuff - got on a sea plane, flew over Seattle, spent a lot of time with the coaches and players, watched film. Overall, ate very good food and a had a lot of fun while I was there." 

Kansas State hosted the in-state quarterback next.

"Out of my three schools, I've had my longest relationship with K-State," Johnson said. "They've been there since I first started getting recruited. Those relationships go back a long way and I've had a lot of time to build those relationships with the coaching staff at  K-State compared to Washington or Oregon. But at the end of the day, I'm going to choose the school that best fits me and develops me at the next level." 

A return trip to Eugene is in the works for this weekend and could go a long way in determining a decision. 

One area Oregon will have to clarify, however, is what it is doing with other quarterbacks.

The Ducks are a (longshot) finalist for Jaden Rashada, who is announcing his decision June 18, and a primary contender for Michigan five-star signal-caller Dante Moore. 

"I feel like in my conversations with Oregon they've talked a little on the fact that they might end up taking two, but they haven't been too clear with that type of talk, so that's definitely something I'm going to get figured out this weekend and get on the same page," he said. "One quarterback in 2023 or two quarterbacks, it doesn't really affect me that much." 

Whoever gets the Kansas product will be securing one of the top athletes in the country at the quarterback position.

As a junior, Johnson threw for 2,550 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions, while rushing for 1,080 yards and 22 scores. 

It won't be much longer until Johnson has set his future. 

After that, he said, he's going to lock in on the Elite 11 Finals - with a goal to come away as one of the nation's top quarterbacks.

"The appreciative part of an invitation is over," Johnson said."I'm past that. I earned my spot to compete against some of the other top quarterbacks in the nation. When I get down there, I'm going to compete to the best of my ability to show I'm one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. My mindset is to win it and to be the best quarterback there." 

Here's what 247Sports had to say about Johnson in its scouting report:

"True dual-threat QB with quantifiable athleticism that manifests in multiple sports. Adequate height with lean, wiry build that will require significant mass addition. Encouraging production as a sophomore with 25-3 TD-INT ratio. Flashes legitimate home run speed. Great tester with verified 40 speed in the 4.5 range. Very good hooper with above-the-rim bounce. Leading scorer for Kansas 5A state champion basketball team as a sophomore. Displays impressive touch on downfield shots to the perimeter. Good improvisational playmaker. Senses pressure and escapes with eyes downfield. Capable of altering arm angles on the fly as needed. Throws with a smooth, repeatable stroke that fosters a 'catchable' ball. Generally stays on top of the ball. Accuracy and consistency can improve as evidenced by 56 completion percentage as a sophomore. Needs to build velocity and vertical strength, which should come with added mass. Raw in some ways but a very athletic playmaker at the QB spot who looks like he possesses ample developmental potential. Projects to the high-major level and could eventually become a difference-making impact player." 

Junior season highlights