Jaguars RB, Immokalee grad D'Ernest Johnson hosts annual Slowgrind Foundation Football Camp

Jacksonville Jaguars running back D’Ernest Johnson’s football journey has taken him far from Immokalee. But for the second consecutive year, he returned home to invest in the next generation of football hopefuls.

Johnson hosted the second annual free SlowGrind Foundation camp at Imokalee High School on Saturday, drawing an estimated 200-plus participants. They were given free shirts with Johnson’s likeness, participated in football drills, and had the chance to meet, get autographs and take photos with the former Indians football star.

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"[Slow Grind is] my motto and something I go by," Johnson said. "Staying focused on the ultimate goal. Sometimes the process doesn't come fast, it takes time so that's what I believe in and that's how I move every day just with that mindset of just staying focused on what's ahead of me and what my goal is and what you're trying to accomplish. And knowing that it's not going to come when I wanted to come or whenever somebody is gonna come and God wants it to come so just keep chasing it, and eventually it's gonna happen."

The phrase “slow grind” perhaps best encapsulates Johnson’s journey to the NFL.

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Johnson, a 2014 Immokalee High grad, played for four seasons at the University of South Florida. He became USF’s all-time leader in all-purpose yards. After going undrafted in 2018, he took on jobs like fishing for mahi-mahi in Key West with a friend and working at a YouFit health club in Gainesville.

His next opportunity to play professional football came in 2019 when he played for the Orlando Apollos in the defunct Alliance of American Football (AAF).

Following, the AAF ceasing operations on April 2, 2019 he got another NFL shot with the Cleveland Browns. Johnson played mostly on the special team's unit for three seasons. In his first NFL start on October 21, 2021, he rushed for 146 yards against the Denver Broncos.

On March 23, 2023, Johnson signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he played a similar role behind Travis Etinne. Johnson signed a one-year extension worth $1.275 million on March 13.

The camp represents a full circle moment for Chris Siner, the Immokalee High School Athletic Director. Siner was Johnson’s elementary school P.E. teacher.   

“Immokalee is a special place, and it's a small town, and for these guys to come back and give their time to our town? It's awesome. They haven't forgotten where they came from. That's the big thing and D’Ernest is the best at that ― he's all Immokalee.

The camp had volunteers from Johnson's family to Immokalee High coaching staff. One volunteer has also realized his NFL dream like Johnson.

Fellow Immokalee grad Deadrin Senat, a defensive lineman heading into his sixth season, signed with the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month. But he took a one-way flight from Baltimore to make an approximately three-hour drive from Tampa to Immokalee to help coach the camp.

“I supported my brother,” said Senat, who played at USF with Johnson and spent the last two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I came out here to support him. He hit me up, told me to come. I told him, I'm here. My word is my bond.

"I thought the camp went great; I thought the kids loved it. I tried to get into some things with them, just to show them that I used to be where they were.

For Johnson what he hopes campers take away from the experience is that they can be successful in whatever they choose to do.

“I just want to show them that it takes hard work, that's why we're out here,” Johnson said. “You know, just working hard. Know that nothing's going to be easy and just put them through different types of drills. Let them know that you're going to be in uncomfortable situations, no matter if it's on the field or whatever it is that you earn, you got to have a strong mental to be able to surpass that. So that was my goal and just show them that you can be whatever it is that you put your mind to be.”

It's been an eventful offseason for Johnson and the Jaguars.

The city of Jacksonville approved a $1.4 Billion renovation of EverBank Stadium on Tuesday which should be ready for the start of the 2028 season. All that remains is approval from NFL Owners. The team also resigned quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a five-year $275 million contract extension earlier this month.

The decision was met with some criticism given where the Jaguars finished last year but Johnson stood by his starting QB.

"Well deserved for him," Johnson said. "He's worked really hard. H's one of the leaders on our team. The future's bright for him. He's a great quarterback. And now I look forward to him doing great things again this year for us."

As for his play, the 28-year-old acknowledged the short lifespan running backs have in the NFL but said his legs still feel fresh. He had 41 carries for 108 yards last season and over his first five NFL seasons, 182 carries for 846 yards.

"Last year I got a couple opportunities and I tried to make the most of it as well," he said. "So this year when I get those opportunities, [my goal is to] take full advantage of it and just do what I can to help the team win. That's the main goal is just trying to make it to the Super Bowl."