The 2013 season was Nick Johns’ first full season as Gonzaga’s (Washington, D.C.) starting quarterback, though he did see significant action in 2012 despite the Bulldogs featuring two senior quarterbacks. The 2013 season was going well. Gonzaga was 5-1 and Johns had thrown for almost 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns (five pass, one rush), but a broken collarbone sidelined the standout prospect for the remainder of the year. Johns is now healthy and working hard, anxious to prove to college coaches and recruiting analysts that he is a top-flight prospect in the class of 2015.

“I want to show everyone I’m an accurate passer,” Johns said. “Also, I believe I’m not rated as highly as I should be. I think I’m better than a lot of the guys rated above me. I just want to prove myself. Whether it’s at Rivals, the Elite 11, wherever, I want to show everyone I should be rated higher. I’m working with a bunch of quarterback coaches. My arm power is top notch, I think, but I want to work on my accuracy.”

Virginia’s coaches saw all they needed to see from Johns last summer, when he and some Gonzaga teammates competed in UVa’s annual 7-on-7 tournament. That day the Cavaliers offered a scholarship to the 6’3”, 215-pound signal caller. Virginia was the first school to offer, a fact not lost on Johns.

“Coach Fairchild was the first one to offer me, way before anyone else,” he said. “They were the first ones to say, ‘We want that kid.’ If I did not get the offer from Virginia I’m not sure I’d have the other offers right now.”

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