In a full-circle moment, Joshua Manning, former Missouri wide receiver, has officially committed to Kansas State, reuniting with friend and former K-State quarterback Avery Johnson. Manning, who initially spurned the Wildcats to stay in-state at Missouri out of high school, will now join the program as a transfer for the 2026 season.
Manning was a highly sought-after wide receiver in high school. Kansas State went all-out to land him, with Johnson posting photos of Manning in Wildcats gear and a message reading, “We want you in Manhattan, the love is REAL.” At the time, Manning chose Missouri, leading Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz to playfully respond with a near-identical post: “The ❤️ is REAL!” Now, the narrative has flipped in favor of the Wildcats.
At Missouri, Manning played three seasons and steadily developed. Last season, the 6-foot-2, 209-pound receiver caught 29 passes for 318 yards and two touchdowns. As a freshman, he contributed 13 receptions for 192 yards and one touchdown. Manning’s experience in the SEC gives him the ability to step into a starting role immediately at K-State, providing a much-needed boost to a receiving corps impacted by the departures of Jayce Brown and Jerand Bradley.
For Johnson and new K-State head coach Collin Klein, Manning’s arrival is a major win. The familiarity between quarterback and receiver from their previous friendship is expected to translate into early chemistry on the field, helping the Wildcats build continuity and firepower in the passing game.
Manning wasn’t the only transfer to join K-State on Wednesday. The Wildcats also added:
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Jayden Bryant, 6-foot-4, 220-pound defensive end from Coastal Carolina
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Kamari Burns, 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman from Cincinnati
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Charlie Adams, 6-foot-3, 310-pound offensive lineman from Cal Poly
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Robert Hammond, freshman kicker from Toledo
These additions give Kansas State a significant talent infusion across multiple positions, signaling the program’s intent to be competitive in the Big 12 for the 2026 season.
With Manning officially on board, the Wildcats have not only secured a talented receiver but also a narrative full-circle story that fans will be talking about all offseason: the wide receiver they wanted four years ago has finally come home.
