Utah
Freshman QB Nate Johnson’s ‘spark’ revealed a glimpse into Utah’s future
Estimated learn time: 5-6 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham stated his group wanted a “spark” on offense.
Earlier within the week, offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, his offensive personnel that was with out its two dynamic tight ends and a banged-up operating again room, he discovered his man — the spark the offense wanted in opposition to Arizona.
Buried within the depth chart was freshman quarterback Nate Johnson, a former four-star recruit with “blazing pace,” in accordance with Whittingham.
Till just a few weeks in the past, Johnson had been the chief of the scout group unit used to get Utah’s protection higher. However when Ja’Quinden Jackson switched from quarterback to operating again halfway by means of the season, all of the sudden his scout group duties shifted to that of the group’s third-string quarterback. He even bought to journey to the away video games now.
The intent, although, was to by no means have Johnson on the sphere, or not less than not until Utah’s season had been drastically altered with the 2 quarterbacks forward of him unable to go for no matter purpose. Johnson, nonetheless, was one play away from being the group’s quarterback had Bryson Barnes wanted a alternative in his begin in opposition to Washington State.
It by no means occurred and Johnson maintained his function as a deep backup on the sidelines.
Barnes led Utah to a 21-17 victory over Washington State in his first collegiate begin, although it got here in lower than fascinating circumstances when beginning quarterback Cam Rising scratched himself from the lineup about half-hour earlier than kickoffs. Barnes was prepared, although, and stepped up when he was wanted.
So when Johnson bought phrase final Monday that Ludwig had schemed up some performs for him to probably be used within the Arizona sport, he ready for his alternative as a lot as he may. There was no assure he’d truly see the sphere, however he stated he was prepared for the second ought to it occur.
He quoted a well-liked phrase that’s typically touted by backups hoping to see enjoying time: “I simply needed to keep prepared so that you ain’t gotta prepare. I used to be simply staying prepared the whole week.”
Ludwig known as his title with slightly below two minutes left to play within the second quarter. After Arizona had tied the sport up 7-7, Rising marched the group down discipline and bought to the Wildcats’ 8-yard line. It was then that Johnson ran onto the sphere and have become the group’s quarterback.
As if he’d completed it a thousand instances earlier than — and certain he had at Clovis Excessive in Northern California the place he rushed for 812 yards on 94 carries his senior 12 months — Johnson faked a handoff to fellow freshman Jaylon Glover and instantly took off to the nook of the tip zone. Showcasing his pace, Johnson rapidly bought to the tip zone.
His first collegiate rating.
However Johnson wasn’t completed there.
With a 21-7 lead within the second quarter and Utah on Arizona’s 9-yard line, Johnson, once more, changed Rising because the group’s quarterback. And in related vogue — besides this time he went to his left — Johnson sprinted to the tip zone for his second rating of the evening.
Two scores in his first collegiate look.
“I imply, it was actually enjoyable,” Johnson stated, nearly downplaying the second as if he did not need to look too excited. “First carry, landing; second carry, landing. Simply being on the market with the blokes, being with group, it was actually thrilling.”
It was a short have a look at what Utah may have at quarterback within the close to future. Positive, he did not showcase his arm — although Whittingham assured the media on Saturday evening that Johnson is greater than succesful there, too — nevertheless it confirmed the kind of risk Johnson could possibly be as a real dual-threat quarterback for the Utes.
“Nate’s bought a ton of potential,” Whittingham stated. “He is bought a really excessive ceiling. He additionally throws the ball very nicely. We see it in follow each day. … He has bought loads of — a really excessive ceiling is what he has.”
And for not less than one sport, Johnson offered the “spark” Utah’s offense needed.
“Simply in search of a manner to offer some extra spark, you realize, simply inventive methods to offer spark, and he positive did that,” Whittingham stated, talking in regards to the group’s determination to make use of Johnson. “You noticed how briskly he’s. He’s the quickest child on the group, so far as what he did in monitor when he was in highschool, so he is bought blazing pace. I feel you noticed that manifest tonight.”
Johnson’s season outlook stays one with a redshirt tag seemingly connected to it — he can play in as much as 4 video games this season and preserve redshirt eligibility, per NCAA guidelines — however there’s potential for Johnson to see extra motion because the season comes nearer to an finish, particularly because the “spark” the offense may use to transform touchdowns within the pink zone.
“We’ll see what occurs going ahead and what Andy comes up with,” Whittingham stated. “That was all coach Lud’s brainchild and implementation. And so if it seems like it’ll be one thing that we are able to dangle on to and proceed to get mileage out of then we’ll do this.”
Whether or not it results in extra enjoying time or not, it was a chance for Johnson to showcase among the abilities he was recruited to Utah for as probably the group’s subsequent beginning quarterback. On the very least, it gave him confidence that his collegiate journey is off to a great begin.
“Offers me loads of confidence,” Johnson stated. “I imply, as a real freshman, most true freshmen quarterbacks do not actually play; they’re sometimes redshirting, so it gave me a very large confidence booster.”