5 Questions with Utah QB Jordan Wynn

Jordan Wynn is in the midst of his first spring as Utah's starting quarterback. The sophomore, who earned the job late last season, was named Offensive MVP of the Utes' Poinsettia Bowl victory over California in December. Wynn answered some questions from Deseret News beat writer Dirk Facer following Friday's scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Question: How are things different this spring as the established starter?

Answer: "It's night and day. I come out and I know what I'm doing now. I think as far as an athlete perspective, I've grown as well. I think I'm a better quarterback now from last year. There's still a lot of work to be done, but those are some of the things that are a little different."

Question: Last year, you were on a diet of shakes and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to put on weight. Are you doing the same thing this time around?

Answer: "I'm still on it. I still want to gain like another 15 pounds and get to 205. So I'm definitely still on it . . . Right before fall camp I was right about 196 and that was the heaviest I'd ever been. So I kind of dropped off through camp and through the season. Right now my body feels good and so I'm going to push it again."

Question: What did you learn on the field last year as a true freshman that will make you a better quarterback this season?

Answer: "Just to be patient. The college game is a lot different than high school. Probably the big thing that I learned is that third down is a lot tougher. I haven't really talked about that a whole lot to anybody. But in high school it would be third-and-10 and we would run almost any play in the playbook and have a chance to get it. In college, that's one of the big things is you've got to be able to convert third down. Third downs are tough. We have specified plays for that and everything. So there's a lot more emphasis on that."

Question: How big of a deal is it to have Brian Johnson, who is just a couple of years removed from the game, as your quarterbacks coach?

Answer: "It's nice. He definitely has some insight, techniques and stuff and knowledge. I'm interested when the season comes around about what he says about defenses because he played against all these defenses for four years. And so I'm sure there's a lot of things he'll be able point out that maybe I won't be able to see in regular film study."

Question: Even with several new receivers coming into the offense, can you guys be as good or better than you were a year ago?

Answer: "Definitely. I'm real confident in those guys. They're doing a good job. With the backs we have and the people at tight end -- Kendrick (Moeai) and Brad (Clifford) and Wes (Tonga) — and those offensive linemen coming back, I think we have a chance to be really explosive."