Jermaine Johnson II Bio
Jermaine Curtis Johnson II (born January 7, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He currently plays for the Tennessee Titans after being traded from the New York Jets in March 2026. Johnson first gained national recognition as a standout edge rusher at Florida State University, where he was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
A first-round selection by the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft, Johnson quickly developed into one of the league’s promising young pass rushers. He earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023 after a breakout sophomore campaign. Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 254 lb, he combines size, length, and athleticism on the edge of the defensive line.
Early Life and Background
Jermaine Curtis Johnson II was born on January 7, 1999, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where he grew up and attended Eden Prairie High School. He developed into a highly regarded local prospect during his high school years. As a senior, Johnson was named All-Metro after recording 37 tackles and seven sacks, establishing himself as one of the top defensive players in the Twin Cities area.
Following his high school graduation, Johnson was academically ineligible to play NCAA Division I football, a setback that redirected his athletic path. Instead of attending a four-year program right away, he chose to begin his collegiate career at Independence Community College in Kansas. That decision ultimately launched one of the most unique journeys in modern college football, taking him through junior college, the SEC, the ACC, and eventually the NFL.
Path to Professional Football
Johnson began his collegiate career at Independence Community College, where he played under head coach Jason Brown. While there, he was featured in the fourth season of the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U, which brought his story to a national audience. As a freshman, he produced 58 tackles, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles, establishing himself as one of the top junior college defensive ends in the country.
After his freshman season, Johnson transferred to the University of Georgia to play for the Georgia Bulldogs of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). He appeared in every game during his sophomore season, recording 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks, and as a senior, he finished third on the team with four sacks along with 16 total tackles and 11 quarterback hurries. Seeking a larger role in his final year of eligibility, he entered the transfer portal and enrolled at Florida State University for the 2021 season.
Johnson’s lone season with the Florida State Seminoles became the defining chapter of his college career. He opened the year with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in a 41–38 overtime loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. He finished the season with 70 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks, leading the ACC in the latter two categories. His performance earned him first-team All-ACC, first-team All-American, and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors before he declared for the 2022 NFL draft.
Jermaine Johnson II Career
Early Career (2022)
Johnson was selected in the first round with the 26th overall pick by the New York Jets in the 2022 NFL draft. He stepped into a defensive rotation that was in the early stages of a major rebuild, and he quickly showed flashes of his pass-rushing potential. In Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, he blocked a punt that resulted in a safety, a play that highlighted his versatility and effort on special teams.
As a rookie, Johnson appeared in 14 games and recorded 2.5 sacks along with 29 total tackles. While his production was modest, his physical tools and motor gave the Jets confidence that he could grow into a long-term building block on the edge of their defense.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Johnson took a major leap forward in his second NFL season. He started all 17 games for the Jets in 2023, finishing with 7.5 sacks, 55 total tackles, one interception, seven passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. In Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, he recorded a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown, one of the signature plays of his young career. His strong all-around performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection, cementing his status as one of the league’s rising defensive stars.
On September 16, 2024, Johnson announced that he had suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the Jets’ Week 2 game against the Tennessee Titans, ending his season. On April 21, 2025, the Jets picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, signaling their long-term commitment to his development despite the injury setback.
Tennessee Titans Era (2026–Present)
On March 12, 2026, Johnson was traded to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat. The move gave him a fresh start in a new defensive scheme after working his way back from his Achilles injury. The Titans added an experienced pass rusher with first-round pedigree and Pro Bowl credentials to their defensive front.
Wearing jersey number 11, Johnson joined a Tennessee team looking to build around a young defensive core. His combination of size, length, and prior production made him an immediate candidate to play a major role in the Titans’ pass-rushing rotation heading into the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson is known for his length, power, and quick first step as an edge rusher. He uses his 6 ft 5 in frame and long arms to set the edge against the run while also collapsing the pocket as a pass rusher. His collegiate production at Florida State, including 12 sacks in a single season, demonstrated his ability to win consistently at the line of scrimmage, while his interception return for a touchdown with the Jets showed the awareness and athleticism that allow him to make plays in space.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Johnson’s career highlights are his selection as the 26th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, his first-team All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021, his Pro Bowl selection in 2023, and his game-changing blocked punt against the Buffalo Bills as a rookie. His trade to the Tennessee Titans in March 2026 marked the beginning of his next chapter after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
Jermaine Johnson II Career Wins
Jermaine Johnson II’s career has been defined more by individual production and recognition than by team championship wins. Across his college stops at Independence Community College, Georgia, and Florida State, he earned All-Metro honors in high school, first-team All-ACC and first-team All-American recognition in 2021, and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. In the NFL, his most notable individual achievement is his 2023 Pro Bowl selection.
Professional Highlights
Johnson’s professional resume includes being a first-round draft pick, a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, and a fifth-year option exercised by the Jets in 2025. Through the 2025 season, he has recorded 13 career sacks, 131 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, nine pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown. His lone interception return for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns remains one of the most memorable plays of his early career.
Jermaine Johnson II Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Johnson grew up in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and has remained connected to his hometown throughout his football journey. Public details about his immediate family and personal life are limited, and he has generally kept that side of his life private as he has focused on his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson spent the 2025 season with the New York Jets, continuing his recovery and development after his September 2024 Achilles injury. The Jets’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option in April 2025 reflected their belief that he remained a core part of their long-term defensive plans. His statistical production in 2025 helped build his case as a foundational edge rusher, contributing tackles, sacks, and disruptive plays in the team’s defensive rotation.
Heading into 2025, Johnson was focused on returning to his 2023 Pro Bowl form, with an emphasis on refining his pass-rushing technique and rebuilding lower-body strength. While the Jets continued to build around young defensive talent, Johnson was viewed as a centerpiece of that group, with the team investing in his development through coaching, scheme, and a guaranteed contract commitment.
By the end of the 2025 season, Johnson’s body of work, including a Pro Bowl selection and consistent production along the defensive line, made him one of the most attractive young edge rushers in the league. That track record ultimately set the stage for his March 2026 trade to the Tennessee Titans, where he is positioned to anchor a new defensive front.
