Utah Utes football: Johnson is getting physical

Utah's starting defensive secondary has sported a different look this spring.

Free safety Robert Johnson finds himself surrounded by new faces.

Sean Smith and Brice McCain, last season's starting cornerbacks, are now pursuing careers in the National Football League, and strong safety Joe Dale has been held out of drills after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery.

"It certainly feels weird. But at the same time it really doesn't," Johnson said of the situation. "We've got some good players. We've still got some really good players who are stepping up and doing what they're supposed to be doing."

As such, he added, the defensive secondary isn't really missing a beat.

Depth shouldn't be an issue when camp opens in August. Johnson said several projected defensive backs have really stepped up this spring.

R.J. Stanford, who started at nickel last season, and Brandon Burton have emerged as the front-runners at cornerback. Dale and Johnson man the top spots at safety, positions the seniors-to-be held in Utah's 13-0 campaign.

Now comes the encore.

And Johnson, one of nine senior defenders with starting experience, is determined to make his final season the best of all.

"We still feel that we're underrated," he said when asked how high the Utes, who finished No. 2 last season, could get in the polls this time around.

Johnson is doing his part by putting on weight to improve his durability and making the most of his good health this spring.

"He's in there and he's not just going through the motions. He spends extra time after practice going over footwork drills and stuff like that," said safeties coach Morgan Scalley. "That's what you've got to do if you want to be an all-conference safety — and I believe he will be an all-conference safety."

Johnson, he continued, is working hard to improve his footwork, overall physical play and run-support angles.

"Talk is cheap and he understands that, and he's got to prove it on the field," said Scalley. "He's a young man that I love coaching. He's got a great attitude."

Johnson has maintained a cheerful demeanor despite battling a series of injuries since beginning his Utah career as a sophomore in 2007.