Beware of Utah when it has a three-man quarterback race in the spring. The last time that happened, the No. 3 QB emerged as the starter in 2003 and led the Utes to the Mountain West title. A year later, Alex Smith was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Utes coach Kyle Whittingham won’t name a starter until fall camp, when last year’s starter, Brian Johnson, is expected to have recovered from reconstructive knee surgery. Junior college transfer Brett Ratliff finished off the season in Johnson’s place, throwing eight touchdowns in victories over BYU and Georgia Tech.
“After BYU I was thinking, ‘This guy was very good or a one-game wonder.’ He actually played better in the bowl,” Whittingham said of Ratliff.
But he won’t discount Oklahoma transfer Tom Grady: “He has a big arm, he’s 6-7, 235 pounds and throws the ball a country mile.”
Johnson may redshirt if his knee gives him trouble.
The Utes’ biggest need is at running back. Whittingham said often-injured USC transfer Daryl Poston separated himself from the pack during spring ball.
A look around the rest of the Mountain West:
BYU: Returning all-MWC first-team quarterback John Beck could be a top NFL prospect by this time next year. Although BYU returns first-team all-league running back Curtis Brown, the big development in the spring was the emergence of backup running back Fui Vakapuna.
Colorado State: Wide receiver Damon Morton and backup running back Gartrell Johnson III were the most pleasant surprises of spring ball. Although they sat out the spring, Robert Herbert and Darryl Williams go into fall as the starting corners.
New Mexico: Look for a running back-by-committee to replace DonTrell Moore, the all- time MWC yardage leader. New offensive coordinator Bob Toledo has installed a modified version of the West Coast offense.
UNLV: One of the better MWC quarterback battles stretches into the fall with veteran Shane Steichen and USC transfer Rocky Hinds. Another USC transfer, cornerback Eric Wright, should help improve the Rebels’ secondary.
San Diego State: Former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long takes over as head coach and has thrown every position up for grabs. Quarterback is undecided with returning starter Kevin O’Connell battling Darren Mougey.
TCU: The defending league champions are replacing four starters on the offensive line. The defense was business as usual, resulting in a scoreless spring scrimmage.
Wyoming: Junior Jacob Doss and redshirt freshman Karsten Sween will go into the fall battling for the quarterback spot.
Natalie Meisler can be reached at 303-820-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com.
