Awards and Honors:
2024 Second Team All-UAC (DB)
2024: A Second Team All-UAC selection… Made 11 starts across 12 appearances at cornerback… Had five tackles in each of his first three appearances as a Governor, including a quarterback hurry in the season opener at Louisville (Aug. 31)… Had a 21-yard scoop-and-score touchdown and his season’s first interception against Alabama A&M (Sept. 21)… Returned an interception 53 yards during a three-tackle performance against Tarleton State (Oct. 26)… Had a season-high six tackles at North Alabama (Nov. 2)… Recorded an interception in each of the Governors’ last two games of the season, with a 30-yard return against Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 16) and a 16-yard return during a five-tackle performance against Chattanooga (Nov. 23) in the season finale, where he also had a tackle for loss… Finished the season with a team-best five turnovers gained… Led the Governors and was tied for the UAC lead with four interceptions... Totaled 46 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, a quarterback hurry, and two pass breakups.
Prior to Austin Peay: Began his career at Eastern Illinois (2020) before transferring to Tiffin (2021-23) at the start of the spring 2021 season. 2023: Played in 11 games for the Dragons… Recorded a career-best six tackles and a pass breakup in the season opener against McKendree (Sept. 2)… Had four solo tackles against Saint Anselm (Sept. 9)… Matched his career high with six tackles against Kentucky Wesleyan (Oct. 21)… Had a career-high two pass breakups at Findlay (Nov. 11)… Closed the season with 28 tackles – including 20 solo stops – and six pass breakups. 2022: Appeared in five games… Picked up a season-best two tackles at Truman State (Sept. 24)… Had a pass breakup at Kentucky Wesleyan (Nov. 5)… Finished the season with five tackles and a pass breakup. 2021: Played in 10 games for the Dragons… Recorded his first career interception in the season opener at Marian (Sept. 4)… Picked up three tackles in back-to-back games against Northwood (Sept. 11) and UIndy (Sept. 18)… Totaled four tackles at Lake Erie (Oct. 9)… Had a season-best five tackles to go along with a half tackle for loss and an interception at Walsh (Nov. 6)…. Closed the season with 17 tackles, half a tackle for loss, two interceptions, and two pass breakups… Ranked second on the team with two picks. 2020-21: Did not see action at EIU in fall 2020… Played in six games for Tiffin in spring 2021… Had a tackle in his debut at Walsh (March 13)… Finished his freshman season with four tackles, including three solo stops.
High School: Played defensive back and wide receiver for head coach David Lasko at Marion-Franklin High School… Recorded eight interceptions during his senior season en route to being named the Division IV District Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Ohio selection… Added 1,094 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions on the offensive side during his senior campaign… Rated a two-star prospect by 247Sports.com… Also competed in track & field for the Red Devils.
Personal: Jesse Leon Johnson III is the son of Tameka Burge… Birthday is Aug. 8… A general studies major with a survey of organizational administration and supervision concentration.
