Former FSU Star Jermaine Johnson Says 'It's Bad For The Sport' After Blatant CFP Snub

Two years ago, it didn't look like Florida State was on pace for a swift climb back to the top of college football. Despite the Seminoles coming off a 3-6 season and with uncertainty surrounding the program, graduate transfer Jermaine Johnson still chose to play out his final season of eligibility in Tallahassee.

Johnson became one of the faces of Florida State's transfer movement and a success story for what the opportunity could provide after he put together a standout campaign and was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He finished his lone season in garnet and gold with 70 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown.

The Seminole standout was named a First-Team All-American, First-Team All-ACC selection, and the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year. His impact off the field was vital as well as he was part of restoring the culture in Florida State's locker room.

Though he's been in the league for nearly two years, Johnson continues to back the Seminoles and he's returned to campus multiple times, including to have a brick on the Legacy Walk dedicated in his honor. So of course, when Florida State was snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee in disappointing fashion, he fired back while saying that the decision was 'bad for the sport.'

"Personally, I think it's bad for the sport to not put those guys in the playoff, and I'm not just speaking as a salty alumni. I think it's bad for the sport," Johnson said. "Since we were kids, we're taught win, that's why you prepare week in, week out, is to win, and that's the most important thing."

"When you go turn around and tell a group of young men that all you did is win and you didn't lose, and you still don't get rewarded, I mean. what do you say after that? You know what I mean? What else is there to chase?" Johnson continued. "It almost attacks the epitome of what is in essence football. If winning doesn't get rewarded, perfection doesn't get rewarded, I'm not quite sure what is then. It's not good for football to punish a group of kids that did nothing but win, to punish a program that did nothing but turn around and win."