Among first-round picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, Jermaine Johnson had perhaps the most winding collegiate career.
Johnson began his college career at the JUCO level, dominating for now-embattled coach Jason Brown at Independence Community College in two seasons before transferring to the University of Georgia.
While at Georgia, Johnson flashed legitimate NFL potential, specifically when he had five tackles for a loss and five sacks in seven games during the 2020 season.
But it wasn't until he joined the Florida State Seminoles as a fifth-year senior that Johnson cemented himself as a Day 1 pick that teams view as a future impact player in the NFL. Johnson did a little bit of everything in his final collegiate season, recording 70 total tackles, 11 1/2 sacks, 17 1/2 tackles for a loss, two pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown.
A year ago, Johnson's claim to fame was appearing on the popular Netflix show "Last Chance U" during Season 3 while at Independence Community College. Now, Johnson is headed to the NFL after being selected by the New York Jets with the 26th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
School: Florida State
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, 34-inch arms, 9 7/8-inch hands
2021 Statistics: 33 solo tackles, 70 total tackles, 17 1/2 tackles for a loss, 11 1/2 sacks, two passes deflected, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one touchdown
Accolades: First-Team All-ACC (2021), ACC Defensive Player of the Year (2021), Walter Camp Football Foundation First-Team All-American (2021)
Strengths: Displays an ability to blow up run plays, as evidenced by his 17 1/2 tackles for loss in 2021 ... he's going to get his sacks, but he can be an impactful player even if he's not immediately a double-digit sack guy ... has an impressive wingspan that will allow him to wreck a play, even if he personally doesn't get a sack or force a fumble ... it's impressive that he perceived through JUCO and not reaching full potential at first Division-1 school to get to this point
Weaknesses: Took until his fifth college season to explode at the Division-1 level ... at age 23, he's a bit older than the other top-tier edge rushers in this draft
What experts are saying
"Johnson has good size, athleticism, technique, and functional strength while playing the game with tremendous urgency and features a high football IQ. Johnson has the makings of an impact starter at the next level." - Joe Marino, The Draft Network
"Johnson has NFL traits and the potential to keep getting bigger and better as a pro. He is a one-year full-time starter with an underdeveloped pass rush and occasional lapses in awareness, but both areas should be correctable with more coaching and game experience. He's more instinctive and consistent as a run defender, but his length and relentlessness are excellent building blocks for challenging protection. Johnson's blend of strength and athleticism should make him a firm edge-setter and playmaker near the line of scrimmage for odd or even fronts." - Lance Zierlein, NFL Media
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