2022 NFL Draft recruiting rewind: Florida State's Jermaine Johnson II to New York Jets

Florida State's Jermaine Johnson II transferred from Georgia and developed into a first-round draft pick

Florida State Seminoles edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson II had a circuitous route to being an NFL first-round draft pick.

In fact, he had a long route to becoming a highly-touted prospect.

Johnson originally went to Independence Community College, where he developed into the most coveted junior college prospect in the country.

He committed to Georgia, but transferred to Florida State, where he finally blossomed into a superstar.

On draft night, he was selected No. 26 overall by the New York Jets, who traded up to get him. 

Here's how Johnson was rated as a junior college prospect:

247Sports

Ranking: 4-star prospect; Nation's No. 1 junior college prospect, No. 1 defensive end 

Notable: Johnson was far and away the most successful junior college player from his class, although projected Round 2 draft pick Jaquan Brisker (Penn State) was listed as the No. 4 player nationally. 

Rivals

Ranking: 4-star prospect; Nation's No. 2 junior college prospect, No. 1 defensive end

Notable: A two-star prospect coming out of high school, Johnson quickly developed at the junior college level and was viewed as a near-lock to be a superstar in a Power 5 program. 

ESPN

Ranking: 4-star prospect; Nation's No. 1 junior college prospect, No. 1 defensive end

Notable: Originally unrated in ESPN's rankings coming out of high school, Johnson's development at the junior college level made him a consensus bluechip prospect. 

Junior college highlights