The unlimited potential of Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson - ESPN

As he pondered the color overhaul of his new car earlier this summer, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson unleashed a Cheshire grin.

He'd been driving a red Corvette Stingray around campus, and if that wasn't recognizable enough, he'd decided on a new color that would be familiar to Wildcats fans.

As Johnson took the keys to the Kansas State offense — and, really, the entire Kansas State program — this offseason, he knew that everyone would be watching.

Just like when he zips through Manhattan in his lavender Stingray.

«Everybody's going to know it's me,» Johnson said with a laugh earlier this summer. «That's a good and a bad thing.»

Johnson is a local kid from Wichita who had loads of big-time scholarship offers before ultimately picking Kansas State after visiting Washington and Oregon. He's also a shy kid who says he walks campus with his long hair typically bundled underneath a hoodie.

So far, being the in-state star who stayed home and has all eyes on him has been a very good thing for Johnson and the Wildcats. Johnson is a sophomore with trademark flow, an unmistakable ride and an electric playing style.

Johnson's commitment to the Wildcats — and his combination of unlimited upside and a 2-0 start to this season — have allowed the Wildcats to dream on a whole new plane.

As Johnson leads No. 14 Kansas State against No. 20 Arizona on Friday night in a bizarro nonconference matchup of two Big 12 teams, he has been solid in his first full season as a starter. That included leading a 10-point second-half comeback in a 34-27 win over Tulane last week to keep Kansas State's dreams as vast as Johnson's potential.

«Our goals are obviously make the Big 12 championship, win the Big 12 and get into that College Football