He is 6’3′,’294 pounds and an Indiana Hoosiers defensive lineman. But Jerome Johnson has a unique hobby outside of football, one that is a polar opposite. Football is rough and hard on the body. His other hobby is more soothing. Johnson says, it is his peace off the field. Music. Johnson began playing piano around the age of nine after his grandmother put him in piano lessons. Although at first he was hesitant,  he learned that it was something he enjoyed.

Because Johnson’s grandfather was a preacher, he essentially grew up in a church which is where he began to develop his musical talents. He explained  that because everyone in his family sings, ever since he could talk, he began making music. When he was younger, music was the hobby he preferred.

Football came a bit later. Johnson began on a pewee team but says it wasn’t ‘love at first play.’ He took a hit one day and quit because he thought it just wasn’t for him. But with encouragement from his uncle, he stuck with it and got back out on the field. As his talents developed, he was recruited by colleges. Johnson committed to Indiana University on February 2nd, 2016, after being recruited by three coaches from IU and determining it felt the right fit.

When he first arrived at IU in June of 2016, Johnson says wasn’t necessarily ready for it.  Johnson grew up in Bassfield, Mississippi, a town of fewer than 300 people. Moving to a state in the midwest, suddenly surrounded by a student body of nearly 50,000 students, felt intimidating. He says his first few months in Bloomington were difficult and tapped his introverted side. There were times he even considered leaving IU.

But, as the weeks went on, things started to become more clear. He began to adjust to his new surroundings. Johnson says he came to realize that Bloomington was, in fact, the right place for him. His stress reliever after a long, hot, football practice was music. He discovered a small room in his summer dorm where he could practice.

Things were going well for him on the football field and after four years here, he has become a vital aspect of the Hoosier’s defensive line. After red-shirting his freshman season, Johnson got his first field minutes during the 2017 season, where he played in all 12 games tallying 10 solo tackles, 18 total and earned himself Big Ten All-freshman honorable mention. The following season, he led the team with 3.5 sacks for 20 yards, was tied for third with 5.5 tackles for loss, 32 tackles and 21 solo, forced a fumble, and had a fumble recovery. He earned the Chris Dal Sasso Award for outstanding lineman and was named the MVP in the Old Oaken Bucket Game. 

Although his talents on the football field began to show, he kept his musical talent to himself, sharing only with a few good friends. The people closest to Johnson knew he had a lot of talent off the football field but because he didn’t choose to share it, many didn’t think performing at a big event was something he would do. Field hockey player Andi Jackson, an IU senior, was one of Johnson’s closest friends. She says sophomore year, when he announced he was going to be performing in the Spirit of Indiana Athlete Showcase, she was surprised, and encouraged him.

Johnson’s teammates, along with everyone in the crowd, were transfixed when he stepped onto the stage and began to sing. Soon, everyone in the auditorium was on their feet. Few had expected that beautiful voice to come out of Johnson’s mouth. When they first see Jerome, some people say his size alone can be intimidating, especially when he is not wearing that infectious smile on his face. But once you get to know him, they say, you realize there is a lot more to him than the tough football player facade. His teammates know all too well that he is a completely different person on the field compared to the person he is off it.

After sharing his talent for the first time in 2018, Johnson made a return to the stage the following year. He collaborated with field hockey player Taylor Swope on, ‘Best Part,’ by Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.

Johnson says being a student athlete is not easy. Free time doesn’t come often and the stress and work come frequently. But, he says, when he gets an opportunity, he practices his other hobby. Whether it is at the Jacob’s School of Music on campus, the Briscoe lounge, or just in his room, he finds a bit of peace away from the field. Johnson knows someday football will no longer be there. His body will beat the brunt of years of hard hits on the field. But the one thing he will always have at the end of the day is his music and that brings him peace and contentment.