Tag: Nate Johnson

Did Michigan football’s next QB just enter the portal?

Could this guy end up in Ann Arbor?

After two years with the University of Utah, Nate Johnson informed the staff he plans to enter his name into the transfer portal.

On the 247Sports consensus, Johnson was a four-star quarterback in the 2022 class and the 16th highest graded player at his position.

Johnson redshirted as a freshman, but he had a more involved role as a sophomore as injuries struck the quarterback room. This season, Johnson has passed for 499 yards on 39 completions with three touchdowns. Notably, Johnson did not throw an interception during his time in Utah despite having 73 attempts. Utah also utilized Johnson as a situational runner (think of Alex Orji against OSU) as he rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns on 59 carries this season.

Johnson is a dual threat similar to J.J. McCarthy. In high school, Johnson sectional champion in the 100-meter dash, showcasing his athleticism and ability as a rusher.

Michigan has a looming quarterback issue next year should McCarthy declare for the draft. The Wolverines could hope one of their younger players (Orji, Davis Warren, Jayden Denegal) has developed into a capable starter, go with top-100 true freshman Jadyn Davis or dip into the portal.

In my eyes, the portal is the most likely option. Johnson fits the dual-threat mold McCarthy has laid at Michigan, and was a former recruiting target during his days as a high school athlete. It’s likely Michigan would pursue a veteran target before a younger player such as Johnson, but should they strike out it is not beyond the realm of possibilities that Harbaugh gets on the phone and tries to make something shake with the former Utah signal caller.

The transfer portal will giveth and taketh. Michigan will likely take a large portal haul again, and should be prepared to lose a couple of young players and depth pieces.

Dynamic Sunshine State athlete sees Clemson as ‘great fit’

Clemson is showing interest in a dynamic athlete from the Sunshine State who could line up on either side of the ball at the college level. Clearwater (Fla.) Central Catholic 2023 cornerback/receiver Nate Johnson has heard from a couple of the …

Clemson is showing interest in a dynamic athlete from the Sunshine State who could line up on either side of the ball at the college level.

Clearwater (Fla.) Central Catholic 2023 cornerback/receiver Nate Johnson has heard from a couple of the Tigers’ defensive assistants, including cornerbacks coach Mike Reed, and regularly receives recruiting graphics from Clemson Football on social media.

There is plenty of Clemson interest on Johnson’s end, as well.

“I feel like their program is really great,” he told The Clemson Insider. “I’ve been watching them for like a couple years, high school. So, I really know how they work. And the player I am – a slot (receiver), a DB – I see how they use them. So, I feel like I would be a great fit.”

Johnson (5-11, 175) had planned to compete at the Dabo Swinney Camp last year but wasn’t able to make it, though he hopes to camp at Clemson this summer and/or get on campus for an unofficial visit at some point.

“I would love to go on a visit there,” he said. “I was supposed to attend the camp in June. But something had went down with my family, so I couldn’t attend.”

Temple gave Johnson his latest offer Friday, joining Iowa State, West Virginia, Indiana, Minnesota, Toledo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Middle Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Florida A&M on his offer list.

Johnson is coming off an impressive junior season during which he helped Clearwater Central Catholic to the Class 3A-Region 3 Championship Game, posting 48 catches for 915 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns on offense to go with four interceptions and 13 tackles on defense.

“I’m really electric, fast,” he said, describing himself as a player. “I can do it all, and really, you can put me anywhere and I can just make plays.”

While slot receiver is Johnson’s positional preference, he said he would more than likely play defensive back in college if that’s where a school wanted him at.

There are a few players in the NFL that Johnson enjoys watching and tries to model his game after, including Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Atlanta Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley, and a former Clemson star as well in current Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.

“I really like Jalen Ramsey. He’s pretty fast and physical,” Johnson said. “I really like Calvin Ridley, and I really like Tee Higgins. And Tee Higgins came from Clemson, too, so that’s really cool. I’ve been watching him.”

Along with Clemson, Johnson named Indiana, Georgia Tech and Cincinnati as a few other schools he’s looking to visit moving forward.

–Photo courtesy of Nate Johnson (@shiftteamnate) on Twitter

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Michigan football recruiting: 2022 QB target spurns Wolverines for Utah

Michigan football lost out on one of its top targets in 2022 with three-star QB Nate Johnson committing to the Utes.

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As Michigan football appeared to be honing in on its 2022 quarterback, one of its top targets had other plans.

On the heels of an official visit to Ann Arbor, it appeared the Wolverines were in a solid position for Clovis (CA) three-star QB Nate Johnson, who has been garnering interest elsewhere in recent weeks after some strong camp performances. He had one 247Sports Crystal Ball prediction favoring the maize and blue — his only prediction — but it turns out that he intends to stay out West.

Johnson announced on Twitter that he’s committing to Utah, thus likely eliminating Michigan from contention.

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With this news, Michigan will likely continue to target Cal commit Justyn Martin, a four-star from Inglewood (CA).

Regardless of this news, the Wolverines are opening up their big official visit weekend, so the class is likely to grow next week — quarterback or not.

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