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With a combination of speed, balance, and agility, D’Ernest Johnson can make any defender miss in the hole. Having grown up in Florida, D’Ernest attended the University of South Florida, where he’d set the school record for all-purpose yards (4,186), receptions by a running back (73), and receiving yards by a running back (909). In his four years at USF, D’Ernest also earned a spot on the Second Team American Athletic Conference as a returner in 2016.
With a combination of speed, balance, and agility, D’Ernest Johnson can make any defender miss in the hole. Having grown up in Florida, D’Ernest attended the University of South Florida, where he’d set the school record for all-purpose yards (4,186), receptions by a running back (73), and receiving yards by a running back (909). In his four years at USF, D’Ernest also earned a spot on the Second Team American Athletic Conference as a returner in 2016.
Upon graduation in 2018, D’ernest would enter the NFL draft where he went undrafted before being invited to the New Orleans Saints rookie minicamp. Unfortunately, D’Ernest was not signed by the Saints. It wasn’t until February of 2019 that D’Ernest would play another snap of competitive football, joining the Orlando Apollos of the Alliance of American Football league. Before the AAF was dissolved, D’Ernest posted 372 rushing yards and 22 catches for 220 receiving yards, finishing second in the league for rushing and scrimmage yards.
His performance landed him a contract with the Cleveland Browns in May of 2019, after which he made the 53-man roster. D’Ernest recorded his first career NFL rushing attempt in Week 1 of 2019, in which he ran for a 13 yard gain. Overall, D’Ernest had scrimmage 92 yards and averaged over 25 yards in his five kick returns in 2019.
The next season, D’Ernest saw an increased role which included a 95-yard rushing performance in a Week 4 win over the Dallas Cowboys. As a prominent member of the Browns’ backfield, D’Ernest ended the 2020 season with 33 carries for 166 yards. D’Ernest also returned 14 kickoffs and totaled 351 yards which consisted of 10 returns of 20 or more yards and a 43 yard return. His combined efforts helped the Browns reach their first postseason appearance in over 18 years.