D’Ernest Johnson Bio
D’Ernest Johnson Jr. is an American professional football running back and kickoff returner currently playing for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 27, 1996, in Immokalee, Florida, Johnson has built a reputation as a versatile offensive weapon capable of contributing as a runner, receiver, and return specialist throughout his professional career. After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, he carved out a sustained NFL presence through his exceptional special teams play and reliable offensive contributions when called upon by various organizations.
Early Life and Background
D’Ernest Johnson grew up in Immokalee, Florida, where he attended Immokalee High School and developed into a highly regarded football prospect. During his high school career, Johnson established himself as an explosive playmaker, helping lead his team to the Class 5A regional semifinals. His most memorable high school performance came against Plantation-American Heritage School, where he faced future NFL players Sony Michel and Isaiah McKenzie while running for 143 yards and a touchdown alongside a remarkable 99-yard kickoff return.
Johnson earned recognition as a four-star recruit, placing him among the top running back prospects in his class. His impressive high school career attracted attention from multiple college programs seeking his services. After evaluating his options, Johnson made the decision to continue his football journey close to home, selecting South Florida as his collegiate destination where he would develop into one of the most accomplished backs in program history.
Path to the NFL
D’Ernest Johnson enrolled at the University of South Florida in 2014, joining the Bulls football program under the direction of the coaching staff. He entered the program behind established running back Marlon Mack, which limited his early opportunities but allowed him to refine his skills and develop as a complete player. Johnson’s true freshman season saw limited playing time as he adjusted to the collegiate level while learning from the veteran presence ahead of him on the depth chart.
His sophomore campaign marked a significant breakthrough as Johnson emerged as a dynamic playmaker for the Bulls. He scored five touchdowns on 653 yards from scrimmage while averaging nearly 27 yards per kickoff return, showcasing the versatility that would define his professional career. His exceptional special teams contributions earned him second-team All-American Athletic Conference honors in 2016, with the Florida native averaging 28.9 yards per kickoff return and 11.8 yards per punt return while scoring a return touchdown. By his senior season in 2017, Johnson had assumed a larger role in the run-heavy offense, rushing for a career-high 796 yards and adding nine offensive scores while cementing his legacy as USF’s career leader in all-purpose yards (4,186), receptions by a running back (73), and receiving yards by a running back (909).
D’Ernest Johnson Career
Early Professional Career (2018-2019)
Despite a productive college career, D’Ernest Johnson went undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, though he received an invitation to the New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp. When he was not signed following the minicamp, Johnson spent the remainder of 2018 working in Key West, Florida, fishing for mahi mahi with a friend while staying ready for his next opportunity in professional football.
That opportunity arrived in 2019 when Johnson signed with the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) for the league’s inaugural season. In eight games with the Apollos, he demonstrated his dual-threat ability by rushing for 372 yards and adding 22 receptions for 220 yards, proving he could contribute effectively in multiple facets of the game at the professional level.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2019-2022)
After the AAF ceased operations in April 2019, Johnson signed with the Cleveland Browns on May 16, 2019. He impressed coaches during training camp, showcasing his versatility through 86 rushing yards on 20 carries, seven catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, plus reliable work in the return game. His strong preseason performance secured his spot on Cleveland’s initial 53-man roster for the 2019 season. Johnson made his regular season debut with one carry for 13 yards in the season-opening loss to the Tennessee Titans, finishing his rookie season with four carries for 21 rushing yards and six receptions for 71 receiving yards.
Johnson continued developing as a valuable depth piece and special teams contributor with the Browns. During Week 4 of the 2020 season, he delivered a standout performance with 13 carries for 95 rushing yards in a 49-38 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. His most impressive professional performance came on October 21, 2021, when he made his first career start against the Denver Broncos after Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were ruled out due to injury. Johnson ran for 146 yards on 22 carries with one touchdown, earning Player of the Game honors and FedEx Ground Player of the Week recognition for his exceptional effort. He re-signed with Cleveland on June 4, 2022, on a one-year contract worth $2.43 million.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2023-2024)
On March 23, 2023, Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as the primary backup to starting running back Travis Etienne while contributing as a kick returner. His experience and versatility made him a valuable veteran presence in the Jaguars’ offensive backfield and on special teams units. Johnson re-signed with Jacksonville on March 13, 2024, continuing his role with the franchise for a second consecutive season.
2025 Season Journey
The 2025 season brought significant roster movement for Johnson. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens on August 2, 2025, but was waived during the 53-man roster cutdown process on August 26. He immediately joined the Ravens’ practice squad before being released on September 24. Johnson then signed with the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad on September 29, 2025, though his tenure lasted less than a month before he was released on October 28. On October 29, 2025, he joined the New England Patriots’ practice squad and was promoted to the active roster on December 13, 2025, where he continued his career as a running back and kickoff returner.
Playing Style and Strengths
D’Ernest Johnson has established himself as a versatile offensive weapon excelling in multiple roles throughout his career. His primary strengths include reliable hands out of the backfield, consistent yardage production between the tackles, and exceptional value as a special teams contributor in the return game. Johnson possesses the vision and patience to find running lanes while demonstrating breakaway speed when holes develop. His experience backing up marquee running backs has prepared him to step in seamlessly when opportunities arise, as evidenced by his breakthrough 146-yard performance against the Denver Broncos.
Notable Performances and Milestones
Johnson’s signature professional moment came during his October 21, 2021, start against the Denver Broncos, where his 146 rushing yards represented the pinnacle of his NFL career. That performance earned him FedEx Ground Player of the Week honors and solidified his reputation as a capable starter when called upon. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated consistency in the return game, accumulating 922 return yards at the NFL level while serving as a designated returner for multiple franchises.
D’Ernest Johnson Career Statistics
Johnson has compiled modest but consistent production across seven NFL seasons with four different franchises. His career totals reflect a reliable complementary player who has contributed meaningfully when given opportunities, particularly excelling in situations requiring special teams excellence and offensive depth.
NFL Career Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Johnson has accumulated 1,014 rushing yards on 231 attempts, averaging 4.4 yards per carry with 3 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 53 receptions for 465 receiving yards, demonstrating his reliability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. His career kickoff and punt return production stands at 922 return yards, highlighting his consistent value on special teams units throughout his professional journey.
College Career Achievements
At South Florida, Johnson finished as the program’s career leader in all-purpose yards (4,186), receptions by a running back (73), and receiving yards by a running back (909). His 2016 campaign earned him second-team All-AAC recognition as a return specialist, while his 2017 senior season saw him rush for a career-high 796 yards. His four-year college career produced 1,796 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 421 carries, establishing him among the most productive backs in South Florida history.
| Competition Level | Rushing Yards | Receptions | Total Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| NFL Career (2018-2025) | 1,014 | 53 | 3 |
| College (USF 2014-2017) | 1,796 | 73 | 16 |
D’Ernest Johnson Family
Family Background
Limited information is publicly available regarding D’Ernest Johnson’s family background and personal relationships. He has maintained a private approach to his personal life while establishing himself as a professional athlete. His Florida roots and upbringing in the Immokalee community shaped his path to collegiate and professional football.
Personal Life
D’Ernest Johnson continues his professional football career into his late twenties, representing the persistence required for an undrafted player to sustain a multi-year NFL career. He remains active on social media platforms where he engages with fans. Johnson attended and played high school football at Immokalee High School in Florida, where his athletic abilities first drew significant college recruitment attention.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a period of significant roster transitions for D’Ernest Johnson as he navigated through four different NFL organizations. After beginning the year with the Baltimore Ravens and brief stints with their practice squad, Johnson experienced the unique challenge of moving between teams mid-season before eventually finding stability with the New England Patriots. His ability to continue earning opportunities despite frequent roster changes speaks to his reputation as a reliable player capable of contributing immediately upon arrival.
Johnson’s signing with the Patriots on October 29, 2025, provided him with an opportunity to continue his NFL career with a franchise known for its developmental approach to players at the running back position. His promotion from the practice squad to the active roster on December 13, 2025, demonstrated the coaching staff’s confidence in his abilities. While specific game-by-game statistics for his Patriots tenure are limited, his continued presence on an NFL roster through the end of the 2025 season maintained his trajectory as a professional football player.