Nate Johnson might be the missing piece that turns Kansas State basketball from good to elite in 2025. In today’s episode of Locked On Kansas State, Christian Rauh breaks down how the former Akron star and MAC Player of the Year brings toughness, leadership, and championship DNA to Jerome Tang’s roster. 🏀 Key topics: Why Nate Johnson is the X-factor for Kansas State basketball this season How his elite defense and blue-collar mentality fit Jerome Tang’s system The jump from the MAC to the Big 12 — and why Johnson is built for it Player comparisons to Barry Brown and Marquis Nowell How Johnson and PJ Haggerty could form one of the best backcourts in the Big 12 🔥 Player Bio: Transfer from Akron (MAC Player + Defensive Player of the Year) 14 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.7 SPG First player since Bonzi Wells to win both awards in the same season Two-time NCAA Tournament participant If Kansas State is going to make a serious run at the Big 12 title and return to the NCAA Tournament, Nate Johnson will be the reason why. 📺 Watch more Kansas State breakdowns and full player previews: ➡️ PJ Haggerty Scouting Report: [link] ➡️ Mobi Ikegwuruka’s Rise at K-State: [link] ➡️ Elias Rapieque’s International Impact: [link] 🔔 Subscribe for daily Kansas State coverage, player breakdowns, and Big 12 insights. 👍 Like the video and drop a comment — can Nate Johnson be the difference-maker for K-State this season? Locked On College Conferences, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege Follow on Twitter: https://x.com/lockedonKState Follow the show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3HhcfyjaoLGxYjsL1KmSZM More Coverage from Christian Rauh: https://blueprintsportsnetwork.com/ #KansasState #KansasStateFootball #KansasStateWildcats #NCAA #CollegeFootball Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 5-Hour ENERGY Enough with boring, flavorless caffeine, it’s time to give your caffeine a flavor upgrade with 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots. Get the favorites you love or be bold and try something new in-store and online at https://www.5hourENERGY.com or Amazon today. Square To learn more, go support your favorite neighborhood spot and see what Square has been up to in your neck of the woods. And then if you have extra time, check out https://square.com/go/lockedoncollege Peloton Let yourself run, lift, flex, and push forward. Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ today at https://www.onepeloton.com. Quo See why over 90,000 businesses trust Quo, formerly OpenPhone. Get started free and get 20% off your first 6 months at https://www.Quo.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. DoorDash With DoorDash Streaks, you save every Saturday you order — stack it up all season and you could save up to $250. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your gameday — only with DoorDash. Terms apply. Promo period through 11/18. Mazda It’s the small details that make the big plays. And just like there’s more to every player, there’s more to a Mazda vehicle. Mazda. Move and Be Moved. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. Monarch Money Take control of your finances with Monarch Money. Use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE at https://www.monarchmoney.com/lockedoncollege for 50% off your first year. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Big 12 Conference: Arizona Wildcats, Arizona State Sun Devils, Baylor Bears, BYU Cougars, UCF Knights, Cincinnati Bearcats, Colorado Buffaloes, Houston Cougars, Iowa State Cyclones, Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats, Oklahoma State Cowboys, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Utah Utes, West Virginia Mountaineers