Johnson's wait is over: QB is back

As far as Brian Johnson is concerned, spring ball couldn't start soon enough at the University of Utah.

After taking a medical redshirt last year while recovering from a knee injury suffered late in the 2005 season, the junior quarterback is raring to go.

"I've been waiting. I'm just excited to get out there and get ready to get going," said Johnson, whose aim is to just get better each and every day. "I'm looking forward to it."

Johnson and his teammates held their first spring practice Tuesday at Rice-Eccles Stadium. They did so without a quarterback controversy.

"It's Brian Johnson's to lose," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. "Yes, he's the starter."

Johnson has reclaimed the role he inherited from top NFL draft pick Alex Smith. As a sophomore, Johnson led the Mountain West Conference in pass efficiency and was fourth in the nation in total offense.

Then came the injury, in the waning moments of a narrow loss to New Mexico on Nov. 12, 2005. It opened the door for backup Brett Ratliff, who went on to lead the Utes to victories over BYU and Georgia Tech.

Though healthy enough to compete again last fall, Johnson ultimately opted to take a medical redshirt and complete the healing process on his knee.

"I'm not going to sit here and say that it was an easy decision," Johnson said. "It was one of the toughest decisions I probably had to make in my life."

Turned out to be a pretty good one. Johnson wore a brace all season and didn't feel 100 percent until the BYU week and the Armed Forces Bowl practices that followed.

"It was difficult to watch at times. I wanted to play," Johnson said. "But I realized that my health was the biggest issue. And if I wasn't completely healthy, there's no sense in going out there and injuring myself worse."

As a result, Johnson enters spring camp completely mended. Even the knee brace is gone.

"It's a thing of the past now. It's not a factor," Johnson said. "I'm not even concerned about my knee anymore."

The talented Texan is too busy. Johnson is determined to learn something new about the offense each day. Complete mastery of it, he believes, will come with reps and getting re-familiar with Utah's first unit.

"I'm just looking forward to coming out as a more mature quarterback who understands the game more and is more of a leader on this team," Johnson explained. "I'm looking forward to having two great years here."