Former USF star and current Cleveland Browns running back sat down with our very own Isaac Edelman, Jeff Macolino, and Andrew Eshman on FL Teams for a fantastic interview. Johnson discussed many things, including his USF football career, his new deal with Cleveland, the amount of talent in the Browns running back room, his fight to earning a spot on an NFL roster, and MUCH MORE.
In regards to returning to Cleveland after signing a one-year deal worth up to $2.4 million, Johnson had to say the following:
“I’m just happy to be back for one more year man… just getting another chance to showcase what I can do.”
Johnson went undrafted in 2018 as there was not a lot of D’Ernest Johnson talk. Here’s what the 26-year-old had to say:
“I was just staying patient because I knew the first two days I was probably not going to be called, but the third day I knew for sure that my name can be called. That’s when the fourth round came and the 49ers called me. I got everybody… all my people with me… they pulled out the cameras and stuff because they thinking it’s the call where the 49ers are going to draft me. And they ended up saying that they are not taking any backs in this draft class, but they like me a lot and definitely want to sign me after the draft. I got off the phone with them… the whole draft went by and I didn’t hear my name called… it was a whole disappointment because coming off out of college you want to hear your name drafted. It was a sad day for me, and I feel like I let everyone down by not being drafted.”
The only opportunity D’Ernest Johnson got after college was a mini-camp tryout with the Saints. D’Ernest shared his thoughts:
“It was a mini-camp, so it’s really hard because you try to impress within three days. When I was done, I gave them my all… I felt like I did good, but they ended up not signing me as a free agent. Then I had to come back home and I didn’t know what to do. I had a friend always that said whenever I need a job I can come down and fish… try to make some money. That’s what I did.”
After Johnson’s first NFL start last year against the Denver Broncos, where he recorded 146 yards and 6.6 yards per carry in the Browns’ 17-14 win, LeBron James made a tweet. To say the least, it made Johnson’s day.
D’ Ernest Johnson on 1 tonight!! Love to see it! #Browns
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 22, 2021
“LeBron James… he is my favorite basketball player, even growing up. When I found out that he tweeted about me… I was in shock. I told everybody that I was going to print the tweet out and frame it. I haven’t framed it yet, but I’m going to frame it.”
Johnson is currently listed as Cleveland’s No. 3 RB on the depth chart, behind Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. We asked Johnson about having to compete in such a talented running back room.
“Going out there and competing. We making each other better. Every time we get an opportunity… we try to make the most of it. You never know when the opportunity will come. So that’s what I do… I just go out there and make sure every opportunity counts. Just going out there and doing all the little things right. Just trying to better myself.”
To listen to the FULL interview, click here.
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