Former FSU Star Jermaine Johnson Predicts The Seminoles To Win The National Championship
No. 4 Florida State is no stranger to iconic defenses and putting players on both sides of the ball into the NFL. If you turn on the TV during the season, you'll hear numerous former players and stars' names being called for making big plays in big moments.
A tradition has been built, and although slightly wavering through the Jimbo Fisher and Willie Taggart debacles, the Seminoles seem to be back on track under head coach Mike Norvell, becoming a constant name in the college football world.
FSU is coming off a top-20 win this past weekend over then No. 16 Duke and is 7-0 on the season with College Football Playoff aspirations and championship dreams.
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Former Florida State star defensive end Jermaine Johnson II has remained a steadfast supporter of the program after an All-American campaign with the 'Noles and being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Johnson was at the sold-out victory over the Blue Devils and had high praise for the Seminoles and even higher expectations of what remains for the team in 2023.
ESPN's Andrea Adelson asked Johnson how he feels about the Seminoles' direction this season, and only the highest accolade imagined was on his mind.
"National Championship," Johnson said. "I was telling some of the guys earlier this week, 'It's okay to say what you wanna do, you know what I'm saying? Win the National Championship. It's okay to say that—own that.'"
Before transferring to Florida State in 2021, Johnson was buried on a deep Georgia depth chart and knew his potential was greater than the opportunities he was being presented.
He made a lasting impact in just one season, leading the ACC in tackles for loss and sacks as a First Team All-American, while also helping recruit future first-rounder Jared Verse and other top-tier prospects to continue the legacy.
"I'm here. I'm their biggest fan," Johnson said while speaking to the team. "We do a legacy walk every Friday with all the current and former players, and I had the opportunity and the blessing to speak to the guys before the game, and I was just saying like, 'I used to play here.'"
Sometimes, the stage is so large, and the focus on winning at the highest level drowns out the wonder and awe of being in a prestigious D1 program. Johnson shared how it was for him and how his perspective has changed.
"I would sit there, and I would hear these guys speak, and every current player kinda has the same thought like, 'ahh, ok, that's cool,' but they didn't really understand the gravity of it, and I didn't until I became a fan and until I left. Now I'm watching on TV, and I'm the biggest fan of Florida State now, and I just want to be a part of it. To see these guy's doing that, it's freaking awesome, and they've got the biggest fan in me."
Currently starting for the NY Jets, Johnson has a career total of 47 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
READ MORE: Florida State Loses Star Wide Receiver During Third Quarter Against Duke Blue Devils
Stick with NoleGameday for more coverage of Florida State football throughout the 2023 season.
