Nate Johnson once left Salt Lake City in search of new opportunities.
But, after spending one season with Vanderbilt in a backup quarterback role, he re-entered the transfer portal and found himself back with the Utes and coach Kyle Whittingham.
This time around, he says, things are different.
Utah has a new offensive coordinator in Jason Beck, who joined the program after a one-season stint in New Mexico. The Utes have moved on from longtime quarterback Cam Rising and replaced him with junior transfer Devon Dampier. That has led to a new opportunity for Johnson, as he looks to maximize his dual-threat talent.
“I came back to play an athlete role — to be the Swiss Army knife,” Johnson said this week. “[I’ll be playing] quarterback, but I’ll be doing everything. I’m really glad to be back here. Coach Whittingam put a lot of trust in me to be that Swiss Army knife. He trusted me to be a playmaker.”
When Johnson re-entered the transfer portal, he immediately garnered interest from Utah. With Beck’s new offense, the redshirt junior can play a bevy of positions. He can take reps at the quarterback position, being a threat as both a passer and a runner. Johnson can also be used as a wide receiver, a position of need for the Utes following the losses of starting wide receivers Dorian Singer and Money Parks, who both ran out of eligibility.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes quarterback Nate Johnson (13) celebrates his 59-yard run touchdown as the Utah Utes host the Arizona State Sun Devils in NCAA football in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023.
Johnson has also taken reps at running back, behind Wayshawn Parker, Daniel Bray and NaQuari Rogers in spring camp.
“We hope he’s a contributor,” Whittingham said of Nate Johnson. “That’s why we brought him back into the program, because he’s a multifaceted athlete and can do a bunch of stuff. He’s got great speed and good size.”
Johnson made an impact with the Utes in 2023, tallying 499 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. He also had 58 carries, 232 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns that season.
In 10 games with Vanderbilt, Johnson finished with 114 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Johnson hopes to build off his last stint with Utah and become an even better playmaker in its new-look offense.
“It’s all about making plays. That’s the bottom line,” Johnson said. “My coach tells me all the time that you have to be three things: reliable, durable and consistent. If I can focus on those things, I’ll be in good shape.”
Utah quarterback Nate Johnson (13) is tackled by UCLA defensive back Kamari Ramsey (27) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Johnson might even have an advantage since he’s used to making reads at the quarterback position, he says
“Reading coverages, reading defenses, and knowing where the blitz is coming from, obviously gives you a big advantage,” Johnson said. “And also in the quarterback room, I can help out the other quarterbacks as well, reading it because our defense, I’ve gone against our defense for three years now, and just having, having them to help out in the quarterback room, and having them on the defense, and knowing where to go with the ball is a big advantage.”
Time will tell what Johnson’s role will look like in 2025.
But it’s likely he will have plenty of runway to make plays in what is expected to be a “run-heavy offense,” according to Whittingham.
“It’s pretty different,” Johnson said of Utah’s new offense. “But, I think this offense is going [to do] really well. “