Boise State junior tailback and Heisman Trophy candidate Ian Johnson carried a clipboard, not a football, on Monday during the Broncos' first spring practice.

By August, Johnson hopes to carry something else — 10 extra pounds.

Johnson played at 5-foot-11, 195 pounds last season. He set a school record with 1,713 rushing yards and led the nation with 25 touchdowns, but also fought injuries throughout the year.

He missed one game with a partially collapsed lung.

Johnson will be limited throughout the 15-practice period to protect him.

"I definitely realized that playing at 195 pounds isn't the best weight for me," Johnson said. "I want to be able to start the season … at 204, 205. That way my weight can fluctuate but stay at a weight where I'll be effective and I'll be sturdy."

Johnson's weight dipped to about 188 recently as he battled an illness, but he says he's up to 197 now. He says he's healthy.

"I will be out there today working as hard as I can," he said before practice. "I'll be out there every day."

Johnson says he's stronger than ever, but he'd like to improve his conditioning.

"I don't want myself to ever get tired," he said. "If I get tired, then I'm not working hard enough."