Jermaine Johnson only played at Florida State for one season, but it was worth the time.

As he enters his third season with the New York Jets, the former FSU standout had one thing to do before reporting to camp with the Jets.

Give back.

On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson returned to his alma mater to host a summer youth camp at FSU's Dunlap Athletic Training Center. Over a hundred children, ages six to thirteen, attended the one-day camp.

"I'm just so thankful for all the parents who made it possible for the kids to come here and want to come," Johnson said. "We're going to have some fun today and I'm going to give it my all."

Johnson, an Eden Praire, Minnesota, native, started his collegiate career as a JUCO player at Independence Community College.

After being rated a three-star prospect, he signed and played two seasons at Georgia before transferring again to FSU for the 2021 season.

Despite being one-and-done, Johnson's impact was memorable.

He was the nation's top edge rusher, recording 70 tackles, 18.0 for loss with 12.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, 12 quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

He was the first player in ACC history to earn Defensive or Offensive Player of the Year in his first season in the conference. He was selected 26th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jets.

Johnson said that he felt reborn after joining the Seminoles. While he has visited Tallahassee numerous times, he never got the chance to show his gratitude to his alma mater.

"I can't stress enough how much this place has given to me, both the university and the city," Johnson said.

"I'm just excited to give back. I was only here for one year, and the city of Tallahassee and the university have done so much for me.

I just couldn't wait to come back here and give even more because that one year and 11 months, I didn't have enough time to really give back how much I wanted to."

Johnson wasn't alone. NFL rookies Jared Verse from the Los Angeles Rams and Amari Gainer, a Chiles grad and current Las Vegas Raider, also participated in Johnson's camp.

All three touched base. Johnson suggested doing something for the FSU community, and starting a youth camp came to mind. Gainer, who was Johnson's teammate at FSU, and Verse were all for it.

"When he reached out to us, there was no hesitation," Gainer said. "We just come out with a smile. To be out here and be with a group of guys and kids, be involved in the community and serve."

Jermaine Johnson is happy to see his brother on the Florida State roster

Johnson has plenty of reasons to return to FSU on his off days. That includes supporting his younger brother, Jeremiah.

Jeremiah is currently a walk-on at FSU, where he is listed as a running back. Jermaine's path may differ from Jeremiah's, but he is excited to see how he progresses at FSU.

"He knows that nothing will be given to him," Jermaine said. "I always tell coaches that he has to earn everything, and he knows it. "

Jeremiah played both running back and linebacker at Munroe High School and Gadsden County. At Munroe, he earned first-team All-Big Bend after recording 145 tackles, seven sacks, and three forced fumbles during his junior season.

As Jeremiah focuses on playing running back in a loaded running back room, Jermaine is hopeful that his brother will work his way up and make a name for himself.

"He is a hard worker," Jermaine said. "He gets after it, and I'm excited to see the path he lays out for himself. I make sure to stay out of the way and make sure everything he gets he earns."

Amari Gainer, Jared Verse are 'ready to work' in their NFL rookie season

NFL season is around the corner.

For the rookies, it's a new beginning of the NFL careers of both Verse and Gainer.

The Rams selected Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He reports to camp on July 25 and looks forward to his first camp experience.

"It's exciting," Verse said. "I'm ready to work—that's all I am. I'm ready to get back on the field, learn, hit and get after it."

Gainer, who played one season in North Carolina after transferring from FSU, went undrafted but signed a three-year deal with the Raiders. The Chiles grad is expected to compete for a roster spot as an edge rusher in his first season.

Gainer will report to the Raiders' camp on July 20.

"I'm enthusiastic and ready to go," Gainer said. "I mean just being out there ... It's my first time being out there in Vegas. Just be able to be back and play ball. It's great, and I'm ready to go."

Meanwhile, on the Jets' side, Jermaine gave an update on QB Jordan Travis and his progression after being selected in the fifth round. Jermaine and Travis were teammates back at FSU and he is thrilled to have him as a teammate again while showing him the ropes of the NFL.

"It makes me feel good when I know I can help somebody who is like my brother," Jermaine said. "He's coming in and asking questions like what to expect, how long we are at the hotel in camp, and things like that.

"Being able to give some game and be there like that shoulder that someone can lean on ... I knew because I had that, but if I had played with someone who was there before me, it would've made things more comfortable. "

The Jets begin training camp on July 27.

Florida State Seminoles 2024 Football Schedule

• Aug. 24 vs. Georgia Tech *Dublin, Ireland at noon p.m., ESPN

• Sept. 2 vs. Boston College at 7:30 p.m., ESPN

• Sept. 14 vs. Memphis

• Sept. 21 vs. California

• Sept. 28 at SMU

• Oct. 5 vs. Clemson

• Oct. 18 at Duke

• Oct. 26 at (U) Miami

• Nov. 2 vs. North Carolina

• Nov. 9 at Notre Dame

• Nov. 23 vs. Charleston Southern

• Nov. 30: Florida

• Dec. 7: ACC Championship

BOLD = ACC

* = Neutral Site

Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former Florida state DE Jermaine Johnson hosts youth camp