Football in Canada can be a wasteland for former college stars looking to hold on to their NFL dreams without any chance of actually making it to their ultimate goal.
However, for Jaguars cornerback Josh Johnson, the road back to the NFL has, for right now, worked. The 25-year-old from Dade City, Florida needed to spend two years north of the United State border to finally find a new NFL home.
After going undrafted out of Purdue, the 5-foot-9, 200-pound cornerback signed with the San Diego Chargers in 2013. The offseason was filled with opportunity and let down, as Johnson competed as a depth defensive back and punt returner.
Johnson was waived after the preseason and was unable to get an offer elsewhere. Lacking in size compared to the NFL's new prototype of 6-foot, 205-pound cornerbacks, Johnson was forced to take his talents elsewhere to play the game he loved.
He spent two seasons with the British Columbia Lions, posting 100 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions during his tenure. His work was noticed by the Jaguars, who hosted him and several other NFL hopefuls for a workout towards the end of last season.
Johnson wasn't signed initially. He was still on the street when the Jaguars called him right before Valentine's Day. Cupid's arrow had arrived early to matchup Johnson with a team that played football just a few hours away from his family and friends.
“To be honest with you I thank God every day and just thanking the Jags for giving me the opportunity to be here," Johnson said. "From being in Canada and having to work my way back Is just, like I said, I’m blessed.”
Johnson had some inside knowledge on the Jaguars before he ended up in Jacksonville. His cousin, former Oakland Raiders wide receiver/kick returner Greg Jenkins, spent training camp with the Jaguars last season.
He was waived before the start of the season, but gained an appreciation for the locker room during his short time with the team. He shared his insight with Johnson, who was eager to head back to an NFL locker room.
“He told me the guys are going to be friendly and you will really get along with a lot of them," Johnson said. [The team is] young, but at the same time there’s a lot of competition. Never get complacent and don’t get too comfortable and always be willing to work and compete.”
Johnson was surrounded by several veterans during his rookie offseason in San Diego. He learned the ropes from players like Eric Weddle and Marcus Gilchrist during that first NFL summer.
He is now surrounded by young, hungry defensive backs just trying to make their mark on the defense or earn a roster spot.
Johnson has actually played more football than some of his teammates. Despite his time in the CFL, Johnson feels like he has found his footing with the NFL game.
"My rookie year, you know, it was just being around a lot of veteran guys and just seeing them guys make plays and they made it seem so much easier than when I was out there," Johnson said.
"I seem so much more comfortable now with the game, things come a lot easier to me. I just feel comfortable because you know everyone around me is just giving me a lot of confidence and [defensive backs coach Dwayne Walker] tells us to get in an uncomfortable situations so that you feel more comfortable.”
Johnson is definitely a long shot for a roster spot, but he is feeling confident as training camp grinds on and the preseason approaches. He knows what he had to improve from the first time around and would prefer to stay where he is as long as he can.
Being a darkhorse to make the team, Johnson realizes the next few weeks aren't just an audition to earn a spot on the Jaguars roster or practice squad. His play will serve as a short-term resume for any team looking for a slot cornerback in nickel coverage or searching for a gunner on special teams.
“Just having more experience and just understanding you know how much it means to not just yourself, but to the 31 teams around [the league]," Johnson said. "To be honest with you it’s really all about the mindset and the business to go out and get plays.”
If Johnson can make some plays over the next few weeks, he may be able to avoid heading back to Canada. Either way, he wants to make the most his second chance in the NFL.
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.
