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As the NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, Jermaine Johnson was the lone Seminole that heard his name called this year. It was a moment celebrated by FSU fans abroad seeing the fan favorite take stage in the first round.
Although it’s puzzling why it took longer than expected for the dominate edge rusher to be taken, he eventually went 26th overall to the New York Jets in what many consider the steal of the draft. Johnson amassed 70 tackles, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and showed a great leadership presence during his stellar senior season after transferring in from the University of Georgia.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK@ii_jermaine is a 1st-round #NFLDraft pick by the @nyjets!!#NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/LMtWRrIIqQ
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) April 29, 2022
Despite the draft being over, the dream of playing in the NFL certainly is not for a handful of former FSU players.
The post draft period is usually a busy time for players who did not get to hear their name called as deals get announced at a feverish pace.
Many players will still get a chance to make an NFL roster through rookie mini-camp invites or going in as undrafted free agents as is the case for the following Seminoles.
Former FSU running back Jashaun Corbin announced he would be getting his shot at the league by joining the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent.
The former Texas A&M transfer, had a nice final season in Tallahassee considering he ran behind an often struggling offensive line unit. He started all 12 games for the Seminoles racking up 887 rushing yards, 25 catches for 128 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Although Corbin didn’t hear him name called as hoped, his NFL dreams are far from finished and he’ll get his chance to prove he belongs in the league.
Tallahassee ➡️ New York@Jashaun06 #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/wrNSUjDw12
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) April 30, 2022
Another Seminole player that some thought would hear his name called, at least in the later rounds, was Keir Thomas. Unfortunately, that was not the case for the former FSU edge rusher who had 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks during his single season in Tallahassee, but his shot at the NFL is still in play.
Thomas may have often been overshadowed by having a player like Jermaine Johnson opposite of him. However, he was a very solid player last year for FSU, and played a large part in solidifying a defense that came into its own as the season progressed.
Not to mention he’s joining the Super Bowl Champion LA Rams as an undrafted free agent. That’s a pretty good place to kick off your NFL career!
Tallahassee ➡️ LA@_popcool #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/VxNuSC39ni
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) May 1, 2022
Former FSU wide receiver Andrew Parchment has also found a home after the conclusion of the draft. Despite a season that didn’t see a lot of production from the Kansas transfer with only 313 yards and 2 touchdowns. Parchment will forever hold a special place in the hearts of FSU fans for his famous 4th and 14 catch that led to a thrilling victory over rival Miami.
He will now be chasing his NFL dreams in Charlotte with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent.
Tallahassee ➡️ Carolina@apcuatro #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/9FVwo6u3ye
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) April 30, 2022
Emmett Rice, former FSU linebacker, saw consistent production in 2019 and 2020 before being sidelined during the 2021 season due to injury. Despite that setback, he has since battled back to earn a mini-camp invite from the New York Giants giving him a chance to stake his claim on a roster spot in the NFL.
Tallahassee ➡️ New York @E_CRAZEE #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/f0GmiuLaKo
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) May 1, 2022
Tight end Jordan Wilson, who transferred in from UCLA two seasons ago, had an immediate setback due to injury after arriving in Tallahassee. Wilson was able to return for the 2021 season and will now be getting his shot at the NFL through a mini-camp invite with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tallahassee ➡️ Cincinnati @Jwils247 #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/B7ZK0dvKje
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) May 1, 2022
The final Seminole, at the time of writing this article, that will get a chance to continue his dream of playing in the NFL is Devontay Love-Taylor. The 6’4 323-pound offensive lineman came over from FIU and helped provide stability to a unit that needed it most despite battling a few injuries during his two season in Tallahassee. His shot at the league will come in the form of a rookie mini-camp tryout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tallahassee ➡️ Tampa@DevontayTaylor #NFLNoles | #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/D7mUeVY6jr
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) May 1, 2022
As the next few days unfold, we may see some other names that will also get a chance at making an NFL roster in which case we’ll provide updates on them as they come available.
Hearing your name called in the NFL draft is the ultimate dream for just about any football player. However, the path to achieving those dreams doesn’t always go the way you planned.
None the less, sometimes all you need is an opportunity. For these former FSU players we hope that opportunity leads to a successful career in the NFL. We wish them nothing but the best as they chase their dreams of playing in the league.
Thank you for reading and Go Noles!
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