The move doesn’t necessarily mean the 7-footer will depart from Utah’s basketball program with one year of eligibility remaining, but enables other schools to contact him as he considers his options.
Johnson’s departure would leave the Utes with three freshman post players in 2019-20: Lahat Thioune, who redshirted after breaking his foot in preseason practice; Branden Carlson, a returned missionary from Bingham High School; and 7-4 Matt Van Komen, of Pleasant Grove. Novak Topalovic backed up Johnson in 2018-19, as a senior.
Brandon Morley, who played in 16 games as a transfer from Salt Lake Community College, previously entered the transfer portal.