Utah redshirt freshman quarterback Nate Johnson plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Monday, Dec. 4, according to KSL’s Josh Newman.

Johnson is in his second season with the Utes after signing as a 4-star recruit out of the 2022 class. He briefly started throughout the 2023 season, but with Cameron Rising planning to return for the 2024 season, there’s not really a path to playing time for Johnson.

Johnson has played in seven games this season, completing 39 of his 72 passes for 499 yards and three touchdowns. He has added 232 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

With Bryson Barnes rendered ineffective against Baylor in the second week of the season, Utah turned to Johnson in the fourth quarter and he led a 20-13 win. He completed a career-best 13 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown the following week against Weber State as the starter.

Johnson was replaced with Barnes against Oregon State on Sept. 29, and he has been relegated to mop-up duty since.

Coach Kyle Whittingham hinted earlier this week at incoming attrition in the quarterback room following Rising’s announcement.

“I think natural attrition, and with that being the most volatile position in football, I think it will sort itself out and we won’t have to make any tough decisions,” Whittingham said.

Newman reported on Friday that Luke Bottari is expected to start at quarterback for Utah against Colorado. Bottari is a 5-foot-10 senior who began his career at the College of San Mateo. He has not appeared in a game yet for the Utes in two seasons.