Fifth-year quarterback Jacob Knuth may potentially make his first career start for Kansas State after the Wildcats labeled starter Avery Johnson as doubtful in Friday's availability report ahead of its Big 12 matchup at Arizona State.
The Wildcats play the Sun Devils on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2:45 p.m. CT in Tempe, Arizona.
Since becoming Kansas State's starter in 2024, Johnson has never missed a game. His injury came as a surprise in Wednesday's initial availability report after he missed one play early in the first quarter of the Wildcats' win over Kansas last week after stumbling to the turf at the end of a long run. He returned the following drive and played the remainder of the game without any signs of injury.
That pushes Knuth into action as a 6-foot-4, 225-pound fifth-year quarterback. Here's what you should know about the Wildcats' backup.
More: Kansas State vs Arizona State live updates: Live score, TV channel
More: What channel is Kansas State vs Arizona State on today? Time, TV schedule for Week 8
Jacob Knuth has been a backup at Kansas State for three years
Knuth has been on Kansas State's roster since 2023. He didn't play in 2023 but appeared twice in 2024 and twice in 2025.
In 2024, he played 14 total snaps: six against FCS UT Martin in the team's opener and eight in a 38-9 loss at BYU. He threw and completed one pass in each for 18 yards. He had three combined rushing attempts in the two games for 18 yards.
In 2025, Knuth played eight snaps between a win over Kansas and the following week's loss against Texas Tech. He didn't throw a pass in either. He ran the ball three times against Kansas for 44 yards, including a 40-yard run late in a blowout win.
This season, Knuth has played 16 snaps across his three appearances. He played after Blake Barnett appeared in the Wildcats' Week 1 win over Nicholls, completing one pass for seven yards. He also ran the ball four times for 25 yards and a touchdown. Knuth didn't throw or run the ball in his appearances against either Washington State or Kansas.
Jacob Knuth practiced as a kick returner in the preseason
During spring practice ahead of the 2026 season, Knuth was spotted fielding kicks and punts with the returners. Though he hasn't had a special teams role in any games, it was one of the preseason's notable sights.
"It's a bit unique to have a quarterback playing on special teams, but he's a guy late in his career, and he cares a lot about this place and wants to find any way to help the team, which I admire a lot," special teams coordinator Stanton Weber said at the time. "When you get through our winter workouts and talk about his numbers in terms of top speed, acceleration and size, he could potentially help us, so why not turn over every rock when you look at players with those body types.
"He's been going through the whole gamut and competing with the rest of them, and he has improved tremendously this spring. With the roster reduction, you're trying to find value anywhere, and I admire Jacob to propose being utilized in that special teams role. It's been a lot of fun watching him."
Jacob Knuth started his career at Minnesota
Out of high school, Knuth was regarded as the top player out of South Dakota, and he chose to start his college career at Minnesota. He didn't appear in any games before entering the transfer portal.
How to pronounce Jacob Knuth's last name
Kansas State's media guide says it is pronounced: "kah-NOOTH."
Kansas State has dealt with backup quarterback injuries all season
Every Kansas State quarterback has appeared on the availability report once. Most have appeared on it more than once, and Knuth is no different.
Knuth's name appeared on the Wildcats' injury report ahead of their Sept. 26 game at Cincinnati, and he ultimately dressed but wasn't needed. He hasn't appeared on an injury report since.
Barnett was expected to be the team's backup heading into the year, but he's been on crutches since he played in the Wildcats' Week 1 win over Nicholls. He was listed as questionable in the initial report to start the week, the first time he wasn't immediately ruled "out" since Big 12 play began.
Sophomore quarterback Dillon Duff was also someone Klein praised ahead of the season, but a preseason injury kept him off the field as the Wildcats faced easier non-conference opponents. Duff has dressed for games throughout Big 12 play, but his health remains unclear.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Who is Kansas State QB Jacob Knuth? 5 things to know about Avery Johnson's backup