Utah backup quarterback Nate Johnson scores throughout a sport in opposition to Arizona at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake Metropolis on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Utah tight finish Logan Kendall, proper, celebrates with Nate Johnson after a landing in opposition to Stanford Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Salt Lake Metropolis. Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Since arriving on campus in Might, Utah true freshman quarterback Nate Johnson can say just one unfavourable factor about his expertise thus far.
The climate.
The Clovis, California, native just isn't accustomed to dwelling in sub-freezing temperatures.
“The one factor I’m not liking is, it will get chilly. It’s actually chilly up right here,” he mentioned. “It will get within the 20s and having to begin the automotive day-after-day when it’s 20 (levels) and it’s chilly, it’s not enjoyable. However I signed up for it.”
Johnson has served as scout crew quarterback this season for the Utes. Towards Arizona, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig despatched Johnson into the sport for his first style of school soccer.
The 6-foot, 191-pound product of Clovis Excessive promptly ran for a landing on his first play. Later, he ran for one more TD.
What a debut — and maybe a glimpse into the long run.
Johnson grew to become the primary Utah true freshman QB to hurry for a landing since Tyler Huntley within the 2016 Foster Farms Bowl in opposition to Indiana. And he grew to become the primary since not less than 1996 to hurry for a number of touchdowns in a sport.
“It was thrilling. I used to be on the sideline, simply ready for that point,” Johnson remembered about his first sport. “I stayed prepared and as soon as they known as my quantity, I needed to make these reps depend. As soon as I stepped on the sphere, I used to be relaxed and centered. (Quarterback) Cam (Rising) informed me to loosen up and have enjoyable on the market.”
Johnson has now performed in three video games. If he performs in a fourth he’ll burn his redshirt.
Will he play within the Utes’ remaining regular-season sport Saturday (2 p.m. MST, Pac-12 Community) at Colorado? Or will he protect his redshirt?
“I don’t know for positive. That’s as much as coach (Kyle Whittingham) and coach Lud,” Johnson mentioned Monday. “No matter sport plan they provide you with this week, it's what it's.”
In response to Whittingham, there are “three or 4 gamers” that might presumably burn their redshirt within the remaining video games of the season. He added that he’s had conversations about this with these gamers.
In fact, Whittingham isn’t tipping his hand.
“We’ll do no matter we have to to win this sport (in opposition to Colorado),” he mentioned. “If we have to use these guys, we are going to.”
Utah tight finish Logan Kendall, proper, celebrates with Nate Johnson after a landing in opposition to Stanford Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Rick Bowmer, Related Press
Whittingham has been impressed with what he’s seen from Johnson this season.
“It’s a giant profit to see that the stage just isn't too huge for him, the lights should not too vivid. He has quite a lot of poise and confidence. He executed his performs precisely how we envisioned,” he mentioned. “You’ve received a style of his velocity. That man is lightning-quick. He may in all probability be a operating again if that was his need. He doesn’t have any curiosity in that and that’s not our plan. He runs the soccer like a operating again.”
Rising has loved working with Johnson.
“Nice progress and he continues to study and soak up. He’s like a sponge in the case of info,” he mentioned. “It’s thrilling to see and I do know he’s going to have a vivid future.”
Johnson is grateful for the assistance Rising and different teammates have supplied him since he arrived on campus.
“With Cam being right here for 4 years, simply watching him take reps, studying from his experiences within the sport, seeing what he does within the movie room and on the sphere throughout follow, strolling by way of every part he does, I’ve realized quite a bit,” he mentioned. “He’s confirmed me a couple of issues. I’m studying from the perfect.
“I’m studying from Cam and Bryson Barnes as nicely, whether or not it’s coverages, fronts or performs. Studying from each of them has actually boosted my confidence quite a bit. Proper now, Cam is QB1. Don’t know what may occur sooner or later.”
How does Johnson view his future?
“Probably not positive about that,” Johnson mentioned. “I’m actually centered on this week and taking good care of enterprise this week. Not centered on the long run. I’m centered on taking good care of enterprise this week.”
Johnson reiterated that he’s loved his time at Utah.
“It’s been actually superior. Ever since I stepped foot right here in Might, til now, in these months I’ve just about realized quite a bit from all the veterans — the receivers, the quarterbacks, the operating backs, the O-linemen and the (defensive backs),” he mentioned. “I’ve actually realized quite a bit from these guys.”
Aside from the chilly climate, Johnson can’t complain about his expertise with the Utes.
“To this point, so good,” he mentioned.
Utes on the air
No. 14 Utah (8-3, 6-2)
at Colorado (1-7, 1-10)
Saturday, 2 p.m. MST
Folsom Area
TV: Pac-12 Community
Radio: ESPN 700