Chop Chat
Fansided

2022 NFL Draft: Why Jermaine Johnson is the best defensive end in the draft

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - SEPTEMBER 5: Defensive End Jermaine Johnson II #11 of the Florida State Seminoles during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Fighting Irish defeated the Seminoles 41 to 38 OT. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next

Former FSU defensive end Jermaine Johnson will likely hear his name called in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft Thursday night.

It has been a long road for the non-qualifier and former No. 1 JUCO player in the nation.

A modest two years at Georgia followed before Johnson bet on himself and transferred to FSU football in the spring of 2021. FSU was a program in severe need of pass rushers after losing Joshua Kaindoh and Janarius Robinson to the 2021 NFL Draft.

Johnson’s production, with limited snaps, was similar to what Kaindoh and Robinson brought to FSU. However, I don’t think anyone thought Jermaine Johnson would put up the production he did in one year.

He went from a guy FSU fans were happy they got in the transfer portal to a bonafide legend during a 5-7 season.

It all began with his performance against Notre Dame in the season opener, a program that consistently produces NFL offensive linemen.

He finished the year with 70 total tackles, 12 sacks, 17.5 tackles for a loss, 12 QB hurries, two forced fumbles, a fumble returned for a touchdown, and two passes defended. He won ACC Defensive Player of the Year on a 5-7 team.

His tape speaks for itself, but his performance at the NFL Combine further solidified himself as one of the top defensive ends in the 2022 NFL Draft. I’m going to go even further and provide evidence that he’s the best defensive end in the draft.

Home/FSU Football