As everyone on this site will agree, the 49ers QB play didn't measure up to a winning standard in 2010, and while some of us are happy about the way this has led to Singletary's departure and Jim Harbaugh's hiring (finally), the question remains: who will quarterback the 2011 49ers? 

Josh Johnson is currently a backup quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have Josh Freeman entrenched as their starting QB and QBOTF.  He has had very little game action (profile here) but appears to have some of the physical tools you need to be an NFL quarterback.

Johnson was the quarterback of the I-AA University of San Diego Toreros under Jim Harbaugh from 2004-2007 (a full time starter from '05 through '07) and put up some ridiculous numbers, including a 42TD, 1 Int senior season. 

With all this as preamble, I collected some links about Johnson that I've posted below.  It would be interesting to see if the Niners took a look at Johnson because of Harbaugh's familiarity with him.  It bears noting that the Niners couldn't complete a trade for Johnson unless the players and league come to terms on a new CBA before March 3.  Still, I'd be happy with the team investing something like a 4th rounder in the upcoming draft if the team was convinced about him.

On to the Links!

An article about Johnson's journey through high school to the NFL.  Mostly biographical, but it does speak to his early experience as a Buccaneer, rising up the depth chart.  http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/tampa-bay-buccaneers-quarterback-josh-johnson-has-come-a-long-way-to/1041365

An article from this season about Johnson's role as a backup, which also speaks to his success as a fill-in for Freeman. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/22/230400/bucs-qb-johnson-ready-to-step-in-again/sports-bucs/

A pre-2008-draft scouting report on Johnson that even suggests he could go as high as the 2nd round.  He ended up going in the 5th--160th overall. http://www.thehuddle.com/x8/nfl_draft/player-josh-johnson.php

Another pre-2008 draft article that speaks to the really unique prospect that Johnson was coming into the draft.  It also gives props to Harbaugh for developing him into an NFL-draftable QB. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jim_trotter/04/08/johnson0414/

Thanks to AptosNinerFan for the reminder about Johnson as someone who Harbaugh might want the Niners to go after.