From the moment he was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jermaine Johnson has burned to do for the Jets what he did in his final year of college at Florida State.
Lead.
It’s taken a little bit of time, but the Jets edge rusher appears to have arrived at that place: As a team leader.
If you listen to what Mike Norvell, Johnson’s coach at Florida State, told The Post the day after he was drafted, it all makes more sense now.
“When he came here, we talked and I told him I didn’t want this to be just a place for him to improve his draft status, that it was an opportunity to make an impact,’’ Norvell said. “He embraced that. He wanted to make a difference.’’
Those words from Norvell have resonated as Johnson has begun to build his NFL career and what the Jets hope is a legacy as a game-wrecking force on their formidable front seven.
Johnson wasn’t in a position to lead his rookie year, during which his snap count wasn’t high, which kept his production down. In 14 games, he made no starts, and recorded just 2 ½ sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.
“My rookie year wasn’t the best, because I felt — and still feel the same way — that I can go out on the field and change games,’’ Johnson said Monday after practice. “But that’s all right. God’s timing is the best timing. It’s worked out the way it was supposed to, and I’m just happy I am where I am.’’
The jump from 2022 to last season was dramatic. It included 17 starts, 7 ½ sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an INT returned for a TD (more on that in a moment).
That jump in playing time and production has emboldened Johnson to do what he believes he does well, which is lead.
“I’m just a big guy on you’ve got to earn your keep and your role on the team through what you do,’’ Johnson said.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a coach on the field on offense (and sometimes even on defense), is the unquestioned leader of the team.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley is the veteran leader on the defense, but Mosley is a quiet, lead-by-example leader, not the vocal type.
This is where Johnson fills a void, and he embraces it.
“I felt like I had a decent year last year and there are some guys that are looking to me a little more as a leader,’’ he said. “It’s my job. It’s my duty for them. I definitely take that as an honor.’’
Mature words for a 25-year-old in his third NFL season.
One of the players Johnson is helping is second-year edge rusher Will McDonald, who, like Johnson in his rookie year, had limited snaps and production (three sacks, a forced fumble, four tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits).
Like Johnson was as a rookie, McDonald is a raw, untapped talent.
“One of the things I tell him is, ‘Don’t compare yourself to me. You’re your own man. You’re running your own race,’ ’’ Johnson said. “We’re two different players. Will is running his race and he’s running it very well. He understands his time is coming. That’s one of the things I say to him all the time: ‘Your time is coming. Just make sure you’re ready.’ ’’
Johnson was ready last year when his snap count increased.
The most dynamic play he made all year was when he batted a Joe Flacco pass in the air on a pass rush, picked it off and returned it 37 yards for a TD.
But, when asked on Monday what the favorite play he made all last season was, Johnson referred to forcing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts into a critical INT in a 20-14 Jets upset with Gang Green trailing unbeaten Philly 14-12.
“Change of possession is everything, [so] that was one of my favorite plays I made for the team,’’ he said. “I didn’t really get a crazy stat on that play, but it was a play that helped change the momentum in that game and helped us take that victory.’’
When reminded that he got multiple stats — an INT and a TD — on that highlight-reel play against Flacco and the Browns in a 37-20 loss in Week 17, Johnson said, “Yeah, but we didn’t win, so … ’’
Mature answer.
“Last year, I thought he really took a jump because of his mindset, the way he attacked every day and the way he played every play like it was going to be his last,’’ Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Monday. “If he maintains that same mindset, he’ll naturally get better just because his skill level will increase, but he’s a guy that everybody looks to for leadership. He’s a tremendous presence on this football team.’’
