Sophomore quarterback Nick Johns to transfer from Virginia

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:33 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) Sophomore quarterback Nick Johns says he is transferring from Virginia.

Johns made the announcement on Twitter, saying the school has granted him an unrestricted release. Virginia confirmed that Johns has been granted his release.

Johns, unrelated to incumbent Virginia starting quarterback Matt Johns, got off to a rocky start at Virginia when he was suspended after being charged with driving under the influence before preseason practice began last year. He never got in a game last season.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Washington, D.C., was not able to crack the competition for the starting job this spring under new coach Bronco Mendenhall, with Matt Johns and Connor Brewer in that battle. The Cavaliers added Kurt Benkert to the competition on Sunday when he transferred from East Carolina.