D'Ernest Johnson

BIOGRAPHY

De’Ernest Johnson Jr., an accomplished athlete born on February 27, 1996, is a celebrated American professional football player. He plays the position of a running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the illustrious National Football League (NFL). His football career has been marked by tremendous achievements, magnificent performances, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

Born and raised in Florida, Johnson’s passion for football was fostered at a young age. His athletic journey began at Immokalee High School, where he played high school football. His vast contribution to the team led them to reach the enviable position of the Class 5A regional semifinals. However, they were eventually defeated 49-34 by Plantation-American Heritage. Johnson’s performance was exceptional throughout the season, with him personally running for 143 yards, scoring a touchdown, and taking part in a 99-yard kickoff return in a thrilling match against the American Heritage School.

On matriculating to college, Johnson chose to continue his football career at the University of South Florida. Between 2014 and 2017, he spent four years establishing his strong foothold within the sport. His athletic prowess was highlighted as he rushed 421 times and accumulated 1,796 yards with 16 touchdowns. At USF, he emerged as the career leader in multiple domains – all-purpose yards (4,186), receptions by a running back (73), and receiving yards by a running back (909). He also developed a knack for returning kicks, setting him apart from his teammates. Despite three of his college years being overshadowed by fellow player Marlon Mack, Johnson continually improved his performance.

His determination bore fruit as his time as a sophomore saw him scoring five touchdowns on 653 yards from scrimmage while averaging nearly 27 yards per kickoff return. His phenomenal performances earned him second-team American Athletic Conference honors as a returner in 2016 and saw him average 28.9 yards per kickoff return and 11.8 yards per punt return, including one score. While his return responsibilities were reduced in his final season, this allowed him to play a crucial role in the Bulls’ run-oriented offense. He rushed for a career-high 796 yards and added nine offensive scores.

Unfortunately, Johnson went undrafted in the 2018 NFL draft and was subsequently invited to the New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp. Despite not being signed, Johnson didn’t let this upset his zeal for the sport. Instead, he spent the rest of 2018 relaxing and fishing for mahi-mahi in Key West with a friend.

In 2019, Johnson signed with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). During his season with the Apollos, he rushed for 372 yards and added 22 receptions for 220 yards in only eight matches. However, his tenure with the AAF was short-lived as the organization ceased operations in April 2019. Following this, Johnson signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns on May 16, 2019. His impressive training camp performance led to him making the 53-man roster for the Browns’ season that year.

The following season, Johnson demonstrated his skills, leading the Browns with 86 rushing yards on 20 carries and catching seven passes for 76 yards, which included a touchdown. Indeed, Johnson’s stellar skills were not confined to offense – he duly proved his worth in the return game, returning six kickoffs for 127 yards and 10 punts for 63 yards.

In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Johnson exhibited an exceptional showing – he had 13 carries for 95 rushing yards, contributing to a 49–38 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. His first career start came on October 21, 2021, against the Denver Broncos when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were ruled out due to injury. Johnson triumphed that day by running for 146 yards on 22 carries and scoring a touchdown, truly a performance to remember. Owing to this extraordinary showing, he was named Player of the Game and FedEx Ground Player of the Week.

In 2022, the Cleveland Browns recognized Johnson’s relentless pursuit of excellence in his craft and offered him a one-year contract for $2.43 million. The subsequent year, in 2023, he departed from the Browns and signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here he served as the backup to Travis Etienne and excelled as a kick returner.

Continuing his partnership with the Jaguars, Johnson re-signed with the team on March 13, 2024. His ever-increasing skills and devotion to football continue to be a hallmark of his career. The promising athleticism of De’Ernest Johnson Jr. serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes all over the world – he truly embodies what it means to be dedicated to one’s craft.