Where are they now?: ‘Last Chance U’ quarterback De’Andre Johnson
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (BVM) – Quarterback De’Andre Johnson made the most of his opportunity on Netflix’s hit show “Last Chance U” during the series’ second season. Starring in East Mississippi Community College’s (EMCC) near undefeated 2016 campaign, Johnson now finds himself playing in the USFL.
The former three-star quarterback first began his career at Florida State before the team dismissed Johnson following a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from a bar incident. The freshman signal-caller would go on to play at EMCC under head coach Buddy Stephens during the team’s second season on the popular Netflix show.
At East Mississippi, the 6-foot-2, 188-pound quarterback helped lead the Lions to an 11-1 record, ranking them second nationally in the NJCAA. Behind his 2,646 yards passing yards and 26 touchdowns, Johnson was named Most Valuable Offensive Player/Back for the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division and also earned game MVP honors at the Mississippi Bowl.
His run at EMCC would lead to an opportunity at Florida Atlantic where Johnson would get an opportunity under head coach Lane Kiffin. His time manning the quarterback position at FAU was short, as Johnson threw for just 166 yards and two touchdowns throughout eight games over his two years with the Owls. He also went on to rush for 209 yards and a touchdown on 39 carries.
Johnson would transfer following his second season at FAU to Texas Southern where the former “Last Chance U” quarterback would rack up 1,575 yards through the air and nine passing touchdowns. His collegiate career wouldn’t lead to an NFL opportunity after going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft.
62 yards to the HOUSE! 🏠
De'Andre Johnson finds Alonzo Moore and the @USFLGenerals strike first.
📺: @peacockTV pic.twitter.com/vC195nIy2P
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 7, 2022
Following a stint with the Sea Lions in The Spring League, Johnson would get his most recent opportunity in the USFL. He was selected in the 12th round of the 2022 USFL Draft by the New Jersey Generals and has enjoyed his most successful season since his JUCO stint. With the Generals deploying a two-quarterback system for much of the season, Johnson has found his groove mostly on the ground.
In a Week 5 matchup against the New Orleans Breakers, Johnson took all the snaps as the starting quarterback, leading his team to a 27-17 win behind his 213 passing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Three-quarters of the way through the 10-week season, Johnson has helped the Generals to one of the top records in the league while contributing six total touchdowns.
From four different colleges to the USFL, Johnson has found a way to continue his run on the football field.
