Avery Johnson is one of the most promising young quarterbacks in American college football. From his early years in Kansas to his rise at Kansas State University, he has drawn attention for his athleticism, leadership, and potential. But beyond the stats and highlight reels, many wonder: What are his high school roots, his college journey, his ethnicity, and is he mixed? This article answers those questions in detail.
1. Early Life & High School Background
Birth and Hometown
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Avery Johnson was born on November 2, 2004, in Wichita, Kansas.
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He grew up in Wichita and attended Maize High School, located in Maize, Kansas (a suburb of Wichita).
High School Athletic Career
From early on, Avery demonstrated aptitude not just in football but in multiple sports. In high school:
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He played football as his primary sport, but also participated in basketball and baseball during his Maize High School years. Wikipedia+1
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As a sophomore, he completed 117-of-207 passing attempts (for ~2,109 yards) with 25 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions; he also rushed for 10 touchdowns.
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His junior season was even more impressive: he passed for ~2,549 yards with 20 touchdown passes, rushed for over 1,080 yards and added 22 rushing touchdowns.
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As a senior, he was named Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year after completing 153 of 228 passes (2,768 yards, 29 touchdowns, 3 interceptions) and rushing 817 yards with 15 touchdowns.
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Recognition followed: he was selected for major high school showcase games (All-American Bowl, Under Armour All-America Game) and was rated a consensus four-star recruit.
2. College Career at Kansas State University
Enrollment & Transition
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Johnson committed to Kansas State University over offers from schools like Oregon and Washington.
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He enrolled early in January 2023, to participate in spring practices and acclimate himself to the college level.
Performances, Stats & Honors
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He made his college debut during the 2023 season opener against Southeast Missouri State. Though he played limited series, he showed flashes: completing 3 of 4 passes for 55 yards, and rushing 5 times for 32 yards with a rushing touchdown.
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Over the 2023 season, he earned several honors: Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP, Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, etc.
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By the 2024 season, he had established himself further, ranking among school leaders in various quarterback metrics like passing efficiency, touchdowns, yards, etc.
Physical Profile & Role
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Avery Johnson is listed at 6 ft 3 in, ~196–192 lbs (varies slightly by source).
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His position: quarterback. He’s considered a dual-threat quarterback (i.e. can both pass and run effectively).
3. Ethnicity & Family
What’s Known About His Ethnicity
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Avery Johnson is American by birth.
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He is African-American. Multiple sources refer to him being part of the African-American community.
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His parents are Mark Johnson (father) and Hope Dent (mother).
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His family also includes siblings: a brother (Anthony) and a sister (Lauren).
Is He of Mixed Ethnicity?
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As of the available public sources, there is no credible evidence that Avery Johnson is of mixed ethnicity, in the sense of having parents from significantly different racial or ethnic backgrounds (for example one being White and one being non-White) beyond being African-American.
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His parents are both American and are typically identified without mention of mixed heritage. Sources describe both his father and mother as African-American (or at least, no indication of other ethnic background) or do not discuss mixed heritage.
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One source (Opendorse NIL profile) lists his background as “African American, White.” However, that appears to be a profile field that might be generic, user-input, or misinterpreted; it is not corroborated elsewhere in reliable sources.
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In sum: there is no reliable confirmation that he is “mixed” beyond African-American. If new information becomes available, that status may be updated, but as of now, he is best identified simply as African-American.
4. Personality, Off-Field & Miscellaneous
Education & Major
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At Kansas State, besides being a football athlete, he is pursuing academics. One source lists his major (or area of studies) as Business Administration.
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Also, his NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) profile mentions interest in finance.
Family Moments & Public Attention
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The Johnson family has occasionally appeared in public discussions beyond mere athletic performance. For example, after Kansas State’s loss to Iowa State in a season opener held in Dublin, Ireland, Avery’s father Mark and his brother Anthony were involved in a disagreement/fight. They later issued a joint apology for their actions.
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Avery is also noted for his faith; some sources mention that he was raised in a Christian household.
5. Why Some Might Think He Is “Mixed”
Given that there are questions about whether Avery Johnson is of mixed ethnicity, it’s helpful to consider why those may arise, and why they are likely misunderstandings.
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Profile Listings/Misinformation: Occasionally, profiles (especially those on NIL or commercial platforms) have inconsistent or incomplete data. For example, the “African-American, White” tag in one profile might stem from default options or mis-entry rather than verified lineage.
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Ambiguity in Public Statements: Unless a public source (interview, record, family statement) has declared mixed heritage, assumptions based on appearance, name, or location are unreliable.
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Ethnicity vs. Race vs. Nationality Confusion: Some people conflate race (how someone is categorized socially), ethnicity (cultural background, traditions, sometimes language), and nationality (citizenship). Avery is American (nationality), African-American (race). If no evidence of dual background, “mixed” is speculative.
6. Summary & Current Status (as of 2025)
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Age & Class: As of 2025, Avery Johnson is a junior at Kansas State.
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Physical Stats: He is 6’3″, about 192-196 lbs.
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High School Achievements: High-school standout, multi-sport athlete, high passing and rushing stats, named Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, major recruit.
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College Achievements: Early enrollee, Bowl MVP, honors for freshman year, continued statistical growth in efficiency, touchdown responsibility.
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Ethnicity: African-American. No publicly verified mixed heritage. Parents are Mark Johnson and Hope Dent.
7. Conclusion
Avery Johnson is a rising star in college football. His story encapsulates hard work, multi-sport talent in high school, early success in college, and a growing fan base that watches every play and every upgrade in his game. Regarding his ethnicity: he is African-American, with parents Mark Johnson and Hope Dent. There is no verified evidence that he is of mixed racial heritage, though such questions may persist based on unverified profiles or assumptions.
As he continues his career (in 2025 and beyond), more interviews or family disclosures might clarify more about his background, but for now the public record supports the facts above.
