In His Return To Utah Football, Nate Johnson Is Excited To Simply Be A Playmaker
Apr 2, 2025, 1:04 PM | Updated: Apr 4, 2025, 9:21 am
SALT LAKE CITY—This offseason marked a reunion between the Utah football program and Nate Johnson, who has returned to Salt Lake City after a season with Vanderbilt.
Utah wasted no time reaching out after Johnson entered the transfer portal, eager to utilize his versatility in the offense.
Johnson primarily played quarterback during his previous stint with the Utes. However, his role this time around is decidedly different.
“I came back to be an athlete—a Swiss Army knife—doing a little bit of everything,” Johnson said. “Coach Whitt trusts me to be that kind of playmaker, and that means a lot.”
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Nate Johnson’s return in an exciting new role with Utah football
In his new role, his responsibilities go far beyond just learning the system as a quarterback—he’s adapting to multiple positions to maximize his impact. This season, Johnson will see time at running back and receiver, adding even more versatility to his skill set.
“It’s all about making plays. That’s the bottom line,” Johnson explained. “My coach tells me all the time: you have to be three things—reliable, durable, and consistent. If I focus on those, I’ll be in good shape.”
His experience as a quarterback gives him an edge in his new roles, allowing him to read defenses, anticipate coverages, and exploit mismatches.
“Playing quarterback before helps a lot,” he said. “I can see where the blitz is coming from, understand defensive rotations, and adjust on the fly. Whether I’m lining up in the backfield, out wide, or in the slot, that knowledge gives me an advantage. It also helps me be an asset in the quarterback room—I can offer insight from both perspectives and help the other guys develop.”
Back in 2023, Johnson started three games at quarterback and played in three others, finishing the season with 499 passing yards and three passing touchdowns on 54.2% accuracy. He also added 235 rushing yards and four scores on 59 carries. The infamously coined ‘Johnson Package’ seems to be much more expansive this time around.
In this new swiss-army-knife role, Johnson will have many different ways to impact the game. He could take snaps as a quarterback, handoffs as a running back, or catch passes out of the backfield or from split out wide.
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Nate’s thoughts on the new QB room
As he works with other position groups, Johnson won’t receive as many reps with the quarterbacks. However, he’s still fully aware of what’s going on with the group, and he’s impressed with what he’s seen so far.
“Dev [Dampier] had a great season last year—rushed for over 1,000 yards and threw for more than 2,000—so I know he’s going to be a good player this year,” Johnson said. “Isaac Wilson is a really talented player. And as you saw today, Bryd [Ficklin] got in on the action too.”
With Utah’s revamped quarterback room, there will be plenty to learn about the group in the new offense. Dampier seems to be establishing himself as the leader of the offense, Wilson is growing more comfortable in the new scheme, and Ficklin is showing signs of promise.
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