Jermaine Johnson honored with All-America brick during Florida State Legacy Weekend
He was in Tallahassee for less than a year. He only played one season at Florida State.
But for Seminole fans, young and old, Jermaine Johnson’s name will long be remembered as one of the best defensive linemen in school history. Not just because of his production, which was immense, but because of how instrumental he was in the rebuilding of a Florida State program that was going through one of the worst stretches in school history.
On Saturday, Johnson was honored with an All-America brick outside the Moore Athletic Center as part of the Seminoles’ Legacy Weekend event.
“I can’t put it all into words, I really can’t,” Johnson said during the ceremony. “Any time Coach (Mike Norvell) congratulates me on everything I’ve done and accomplished, I always say, ‘Thanks for the opportunity.’ Because that’s all you’ve got. … I just thank you for the opportunity. I always say thank you to the fans, everybody involved in the program. My teammates.
“And Coach is right. I always do come back when I get the opportunity. This is my true home. It’s funny. This is my home. This is what I’ll always say is my home. And this is the school that I spent the least amount of time at.”
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Johnson started his career in junior college and then spent two seasons at the University of Georgia. Before the 2021 season, he decided he wanted to transfer for an opportunity to get more playing time, and he wound up choosing Florida State.
He has long said it’s the best decision he ever made.
Norvell certainly agrees. As he talked to Johnson during the ceremony on Saturday, he told him that yes, he was an All-American and yes he was a first-round NFL draft pick. But it was more than that. It was about leaving a lasting impact.
“You’ve got an incredible career in front of you,” Norvell said. “But you made an impact on the people. You made an impact on the place. Once a ‘Nole, always a ‘Nole. And by being able to provide this brick, it will always be here. Among all the greats that have come before you.”
One of those greats was on hand at the ceremony with Johnson.
Heisman Trophy winner and 2013 national champion Jameis Winston was back in Tallahassee for Legacy Weekend, and he spoke at the event honoring the most recent Florida State All-American.
“I’m just going to tell you, I didn’t get no chance to cut no turf and reveal my brick,” Winston said with a smile, alluding to the fact that Florida State previously didn’t hold ceremonies for brick installations. “But that’s just the impact that Coach Norvell brings to this university. Just the involvement, and everyone around here believes in him. And has his back.
“And I appreciate everyone … being able to witness this great young man in Jermaine and all the great things this future has for him.”
Two years ago, Johnson was in the middle of his first and only spring practice with the Florida State football team.
On Saturday, he was being honored with an All-America brick, where both his former head coach and a Heisman Trophy winner spoke on his behalf. Safe to say Jermaine Johnson made quite an impact in a short amount of time.
“My year at Florida State,” he said, shaking his head. “I can’t put it into words.”
Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.
