Jermaine Johnson II

PRO: The Titans acquired Jermaine Johnson II from the N.Y. Jets during the 2026 offseason to bolster the defensive front and add to the team's pass rush. The 6-foot-5-inch, 254-pound defender was coveted for his length, explosiveness off the ball and his strength to set the edge.   Johnson II was a first-round pick of the N.Y. Jets in 2022 and saw action in 47 games in his first four NFL seasons with the club.  Prior to his arrival in Tennessee, the 2023 Pro Bowler amassed 131 tackles, 13 sacks and 105 quarterback pressures from 2022-25.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:  
• In 2023, Johnson was selected to his first career Pro Bowl after recording career-highs with 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 53 quarterback pressures and seven passes defensed, to go along with an interception returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

TITANS TIDBITS:  
• During the third season of Last Chance U on Netflix, Johnson II appeared as a player at Independence (Kansas) Community College. Although he turned down the opportunity to have a major role in the series, the show highlighted his skills and left no doubt he was a major Division I prospect.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:  
• The Eden Prairie, Minn., native was selected by the N.Y. Jets in the first round (26th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
• Traded to the Titans on March 12, 2026 in exchange for nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat.

SEASON RECAPS:

2025 (14/13 - N.Y. Jets):  Played in 14 games with 13 starts after suffering a season-ending injury during the 2024 campaign.  Registered 43 tackles, three sacks, five stops lor loss, 34 quarterback pressures and two passes defensed.  Was inactive for three contests.
• Against Denver (10/12), posted a season-high-tying five tackles, including a six-yard sack of Bo Nix late in the fourth quarter.
• Against Cleveland (11/9), notched four tackles and dropped Dillon Gabriel for a seven-yard loss in the final stanza.
• At New England (11/13), recorded two tackles, including a 10-yard sack of Drake Maye early in the fourth quarter.

2024 (2/2 - N.Y. Jets):  Started two games at defensive end before suffering a season-ending injury.  Recorded four tackles, a stop for loss and seven quarterback pressures.  Placed on injured reserve on Sept. 19 and missed the final 15 games of the season.

2023 (17/17 - N.Y. Jets):  Named to his first career Pro Bowl after registering career-highs with 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 53 quarterback pressures and seven passes defensed.  Registered his first career interception, which he returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.  Started all 17 games for the first time in his career.
• Against Buffalo (9/11), made his first career start and recorded five tackles, a sack, two stops for loss and three quarterback pressures. Dropped Josh Allen for a two-yard loss in the fourth quarter.
• At N.Y. Giants (10/29), posted a season-best six tackles, including two sacks. Dropped Tommy DeVito for a four-yard sack in the second quarter. Sacked DeVito for a five-yard loss late in the first half.
• Against Atlanta (12/3), notched four tackles, including 1.5 sacks.
• Against Washington (12/24), recorded the second blocked punt of his career. Blocked a Tress Way punt in the first quarter and the ball was returned to the Washington nine-yard line setting up a Jets' touchdown.

2022 (14/0 - N.Y. Jets):  Appeared in 14 games as a rookie and registered 29 tackles, three tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback pressures.  Recorded a quarterback pressure in each of his first seven games, one of three rookies to do so in 2022.  Blocked a punt that went out of the end zone for a safety.  Was inactive for three contests.
• Against Baltimore (9/11), made his NFL debut and registered a pair of tackles, including a half sack of Lamar Jackson in the second quarter.
• At Pittsburgh (10/2), tied a season-best with four tackles, including a nine-yard sack of Mitch Trubisky in the second stanza.
• At Buffalo (12/11), blocked a Sam Martin punt, which went out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

COLLEGE: 
• Played in 33 games with 16 starts at Georgia (2019-20) and Florida State (2021) and registered 106 tackles, including 26 tackles for loss, 18.5 sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery touchdown.
• In his lone season at Florida State (2021), named ACC Defensive Player of the Year, the first player to earn Player of the Year recognition in their first season in an ACC program. Registered 70 tackles, 12.0 sacks, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, 18 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits.
• In two seasons at Georgia (2019-20), appeared in 21 games with four starts and totaled 36 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble.
• In 2020, played in seven games with three starts at Georgia and posted 16 tackles, four sacks and a pass defensed.
• In 2019, saw action in 14 games with one start in his first season with the Bulldogs and collected 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.
• Played two seasons at Independence (Kansas) Community College (2017-18) and appeared in 20 games. Was one of the top-rated junior college players after recording 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
• As a redshirt freshman (2018), notched 58 tackles, eight sacks and three forced fumbles. He transferred to the University of Georgia following the season.

PERSONAL:  
• Attended Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School and was named All-Metro as a senior after recording 37 tackles and seven sacks.
• After graduation, Johnson attended junior college for two seasons to work on his academics with the goal of joining a Division I football program.
• Follow Johnson II on Instagram at @jermainethealbum and on X at @ii_jermaine.
• Born Jermaine Curtis Johnson II on Jan. 7, 1999 in Eden Prairie, Minn.