Countless people aspire to reach the pinnacle of their chosen industry, but only a few get the opportunity even to attempt to accomplish such a feat.
The path and journey for everyone is different, especially when considering the backgrounds and environment one is shaped and molded. Some succumb to internal and external pressures, leaving behind countless what-ifs about their greater purpose, while others embrace the opportunities before them, manifesting their purpose and pushing their abilities to the limits.
Javien Elliott wasn’t the biggest, fastest or strongest, but it was a relentless work ethic, faith and purpose that fueled the Panama City native’s dream of playing in the National Football League.
Raised in the Springfield area, Elliott tried his hand at nearly every sport imaginable: football, basketball, track, weightlifting, and even tried out for his middle school tennis team—though according to Elliott that last one was more out of boredom than anything else.
“I loved sports and being active and I remember at a young age playing basketball and my mom would take me to games for three different teams all in one day,” Elliott said.
Football soon became his true passion, with Elliott spending all four years at Rutherford as a defensive back. As a senior Elliott was named first-team all-county and first-team all district at receiver and defensive back
However, at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, he received little interest from collegiate recruiters.
“I had letters here and there but nothing I wanted to pursue because it wasn’t a good fit,” he said. “It was a combination of me being afraid to move far from my hometown and just not having a true football opportunity.”
At 18 years old and uncertain about his future after graduation, Elliott spent the next three years at Tallahassee Community College, working toward his associate’s degree. However, during his freshman year, his father, Jay Elliott, sent Javien’s highlights to Florida State University, and after a talk with D.J. Eliot, defensive ends coach at the time, Elliott had the chance to join the team as a walk-on once he attained his degree.
“There was always this thing to look forward to with Florida State but I hadn’t played football in three years I had to build up my confidence and fight against the imposter syndrome and thinking I am not enough,” Elliot said. “I played some intramural sports, pickup basketball and flag football but I was doubting myself.”
Words of affirmation from the people he’s known from the beginning gave the incoming football player more than enough fuel to believe he belonged on the field he grew up watching.
“Every day I was on a mission to prove to the coaches and everyone around me that I am good enough and a dawg,” Elliott said. “Even when you feel like you’ve done enough you still haven’t done enough, even when I earned my scholarship I wasn’t satisfied because the new goal was to be a starter.”
On the back of winning the 2013 national championship over Auburn, Elliott joined the Seminoles in 2014. He was primarily a scout team player before ultimately earning a scholarship ahead of the 2015 season.
At the moment Elliott was still hungry to achieve playing time and he made great strides playing in 12 games, starting in six, totaling 37 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception (which came against Louisville and future NFL star quarterback Lamar Jackson).
Florida State finished the season with a 10-3 record, ending with a loss to Houston in the Peach Bowl. This marked the conclusion of Elliott’s career as a Seminole and the beginning of his preparation for the NFL Draft.
Elliott explained how humbling it was when training for his pro day with guys like Derrick Henry, Dak Prescott and other big names who were receiving massive attention from scouts and brands.
“I didn’t have the mindset of woe is me, instead I got into the mindset of what do I have to do to get there,” Elliott said. “I only played one season in college so it wasn’t like teams were going to come knocking on my front door, it was about going to work every day and taking advantage of the opportunity.”
Florida State pro day came and Elliott ran a 4.41 40-yard dash which earned him a rookie minicamp tryout with the Steelers. He didn’t make the team.
A few weeks later a phone call and a 300-mile day drive would change the course of Elliot’s career.
“The Buccaneers called me while I was working out, saying they wanted me to try out but they didn’t have any flights to take me down there,” Elliott said. “I confirmed that the phone call was real and drove down the same day and had the tryout the next morning.”
Seven athletes were in attendance for the same position and Elliott was passed over for a player with more college experience. On the car ride back, Elliott said he questioned why God would bring him down there just to send him back home until he received yet another phone call.
“I get a phone call from the Bucs and they tell me the guy they chose failed his physical and if I could turn around and sign,” Elliott said. “I signed and would end up playing for the Buccaneers for three years.”
Elliott played 36 games with Tampa Bay totaling 39 tackles and one interception (a Cam Newton pass). He signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 totaling 38 tackles and an interception on former college teammate Jameis Winston. For those keeping score at home, that’s three career picks against Heisman-winning quarterbacks.
He played two more years in the Canadian Football League (Calgary in 2021 and Hamilton in 2023) before retiring from football due to a nagging ankle injury.
At 31 years old, Elliott has made his way back to Panama City, where he now trains aspiring athletes. In a full-circle moment, he has also taken on the role of defensive back coach for the Rutherford Rams football team.
His journey is documented in his recent book release, titled “Unconquered Walk-On: My Unlikely Path From Zero Scholarships to Florida State and the NFL.” It is available for purchase on Amazon.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.