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Alex Khvatov:
Tell me about the San
Diego State game.
Brian Johnson:
Well, we came out and played well on offense against San
Diego State. The last two weeks (before the SDSU game) we
weren’t able to score a lot of points. But we were able to
do it this week by getting into a rhythm early. Overall, we
did a nice job. The offensive line did a great job.
Alex Khvatov:
What are your
measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Brian Johnson:
I am 6’1”, 210 pounds. I haven’t been timed in a forty for
a long time. Last time I ran a 4.6 forty in high school.
Alex Khvatov:
Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Brian Johnson:
I wasn’t really highly recruited. Illinois and Louisiana
Tech showed some interest. I started only my senior year in
high school. As a junior, I was a backup to Drew Tate who
later started at Iowa.
Alex Khvatov:
What other sports did you play when you were in high school?
Brian Johnson:
Basketball. I think that I was equally as good at both
sports. I actually enjoy basketball a little more. But I
got the chance to play college football and I took it.
Alex Khvatov:
What made you choose Utah?
Brian Johnson:
Well, I just thought it was a great situation. Urban Meyer
recruited me out of high school. They ran a similar
offense. I knew that I could have a chance to play early.
The school and the coaching staff made it a great
situation. I was a little disappointed that Coach Meyer
left for Florida, but at the same it was a great situation
for him. Alex Smith declared for the draft, and I knew that
I could come in and start because I was the only scholarship
QB on the roster. I proved myself the following spring.
Alex Khvatov:
In 2004 as a true freshman you were a backup to Alex Smith,
what did you learn from him in terms of what it takes to be
a successful college quarterback?
Brian Johnson:
The biggest thing that I learned from him was how to prepare
for the opponent each and every week. As far as playing, I
tried to do everything that he did. I was like a sponge. I
tried to learn as much as I could from him and the coaching
staff. I learned a lot.
Alex Khvatov:
Why do you think that Alex Smith hasn’t been able to live up
to expectations at the pro level?
Brian Johnson:
Well, a ton of different variables go into it. He has had
four different coordinators over four years. He had to
learn a new offense every year. It is hard to find a rhythm
when you don’t develop with that chemistry. Injuries have
contributed as well. He knows that he is a great player, he
will definitely get it turned around when he comes back next
year.
Alex Khvatov:
Describe your sophomore season when you were able to put up
some impressive numbers.
Brian Johnson:
Well, we kind have kept the same offense even after Alex and
Coach Meyer left. Statistically, I had a good season, but I
had a 5-5 record as the starter. After I hurt my knee, I
just told myself that I would try to get wins. Numbers are
good to have, but good teams and a good QB are judged upon
the win and lose record.
Alex Khvatov:
You had to redshirt in 2006 because you were still
recovering from knee surgery, how difficult was it to come
back and regain your old form in 2007?
Brian Johnson:
Well, the most frustrating thing was that I separated my
shoulder in the first game of the season. I missed three
games. It was a frustrating time for me. To be honest, I
didn’t feel the same that entire season. I was trying to
rehab the shoulder every week. But we found ways to win
games. We went on a seven or eight game winning streak.
Alex Khvatov:
You were named Offensive MVP of the 2007 San Diego
Poinsettia Bowl, how gratifying was it to end your season on
a high note?
Brian Johnson:
I thought it was huge because it was a spring board to this
season. We played against a competitive Navy team that gave
us a great matchup. We were able to finish off the season
the right way.
Alex Khvatov:
What are your strengths on the football field?
Brian Johnson:
My biggest asset is leadership. I am able to stay poised.
It is has been very important in tough spots this season.
Alex Khvatov:
What areas of your game do you need to improve upon?
Brian Johnson:
Just becoming more knowledgeable about football. A lot of
quarterbacks get labeled as a product of the system. I
think that being a student of the game is important. I want
to learn more about football.
Alex Khvatov:
Utah is unbeaten so far this season. Will this team go
undefeated?
Brian Johnson:
We have an opportunity. Our coach does a great job
preparing us week in and week out. We cannot overlook the
next opponent. We have to put in the same preparation and
focus for this week’s game. Hopefully we can go out and
win.
Alex Khvatov:
In the beginning of the season, did you think that this team
was capable of great things?
Brian Johnson:
I did. The entire team did. We came back after the Bowl
game and thought that we had a great chance to be a great
team this season. We knew that we had some talented players
coming back. We are 11-0, with an opportunity to be 12-0.
Alex Khvatov:
Describe in details how your team was able to pull out the
thrilling victory in the closing minute of the game against
TCU.
Brian Johnson:
We were so close. We were getting close to scoring
opportunities. But we shot ourselves in the foot. We lost
yardage and had some penalties. We thrive in the two minute
drill. We scored a TD and put the game away in the closing
minute.
Alex Khvatov:
What would it mean for you personally to finish off your
college career by playing in a BCS Bowl?
Brian Johnson:
It would be very special. Then my career would come full
circle. That would be a huge accomplishment for the
program.
Alex Khvatov:
Does Utah deserve to be there?
Brian Johnson:
Without question. Our conference is just as good. We had
three ranked teams and Air Force team is knocking on the Top
25 door. We have a lot of talent. We have more of a blue
collar mentality. We take pride in that. Our conference
played against Big Ten and Pac 10 teams, we go there and we
play well.
Alex Khvatov:
What is your favorite NFL team?
Brian Johnson:
The Cowboys. I am from Texas, so I still watch them up to
this day. But it has become more about the individual
players since I know some players in the league.
Alex Khvatov:
Who is your favorite player?
Brian Johnson:
Growing up, my favorite player was Emmitt Smith. He did an
unbelievable job. Right now, I look up to QB Peyton
Manning. I was a coach at his high school camp this
summer. Eli and Peyton do some great things. I like
Donovan McNabb especially in Philly where the fans are
always tough. When he is healthy, he is elite.
Alex Khvatov:
Who are the toughest players that you have faced during your
career?
Brian Johnson:
This year, Jerry Hughes from TCU had 9 sacks. He is a great
DE. He had zero sacks against us. We took that as a
challenge. Last year, Oregon State had a DE, he was
unbelievable. Eric Wright, corner from UNLV, was tough.
Alex Khvatov:
Which underclassmen on your team should we keep an eye on in
the future?
Brian Johnson:
Definitely Paul Kruger, he is an unbelievable DE. He came
in as a QB and then he turned into a DE. Sean Smith is
another player. He is a 6’3” or a 6’4” CB. He runs like a
deer. Smith came in as a RB, and then he took off as a CB.
He is very athletic. This program does a good job of
recruiting. We take raw athletic ability and mold them into
good players. This program fits guys into certain
positions. Guys come in, accept their new positions and try
to master them.
Alex Khvatov:
What do you enjoy most about playing football?
Brian Johnson:
I enjoy my teammates. There are 100 guys that get together
and have a common goal. The commodore that we enjoy, the
way we bond and spend time together. It is a special
thing.
Alex Khvatov:
As a quarterback, what does it take to be a leader?
Brian Johnson:
I think first of all, you have to prove your place on the
team. Before you become vocal, you have to get dirty. You
have to do everything in order to be successful. Then you
earn the respect of your teammates, you set the bar and
everyone follows it.
Alex Khvatov:
Your father played college football, what did you learn from
him in terms of the game?
Brian Johnson:
He played at UTEP. He was always gifted athletically. The
biggest thing that I learned from him is to play hard and
play for yourself. He deferred the attention from himself.
He wanted me to do my own thing and make a name for
myself.
Alex Khvatov:
How important is it for you to make it at the next level?
Brian Johnson:
It is a huge goal of mine. It is a business. Percentages
are very, very small who gets that opportunity on the next
level. It is definitely part of my motivation.
Alex Khvatov:
You are a three time Academic All-American, how important is
education to you?
Brian Johnson:
It is the biggest thing to me. I got my degree in May. It
was a proud moment for me. I was the first person to
graduate from my family. I set the bar for my two younger
sisters. I got the degree in communications. I may go back
to school and get a Master’s Degree in either Business or
Economics.
Alex Khvatov:
What makes you unique?
Brian Johnson:
I think the most unique thing about me is I play with a chip
on my shoulder. I was not a highly recruited guy. But I
proved that I belong and I can play this game.
Alex Khvatov:
What do you like to do in your free time?
Brian Johnson:
I like to play PS3. I just bought it not too long ago. It
has kept me interested. It is fun. This season has been a
grind. I spent most of the time at the facility.
Alex Khvatov:
Finish the sentence, Brian Johnson….
Brian Johnson:
I am hard-worker. I take pride in what I do and for
whatever I get. I keep that edge about myself. |
