The Florida Gators and head coach Billy Napier are dealing with some off-the-field turbulence, and it’s centered around third-year defensive back Dijon Johnson. According to Swamp247, the 247Sports affiliate for Florida, Johnson was arrested on May 2 and released two days later after posting bond. He’s facing serious charges: possession of a controlled substance (third-degree felony), possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony (second-degree felony), possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana (misdemeanor), and resisting an officer without violence (also a misdemeanor). It’s a situation that’s put Johnson’s future with the team in question, despite him remaining a member for now. A Florida spokesperson told Swamp247’s Zach Goodall that the program is “aware of the situation” and will be monitoring it closely.
Johnson, a 6-1 cornerback who signed with Florida as a four-star recruit in the 2023 class, ranked as the No. 8 safety and No. 107 prospect nationally according to the 247Sports Composite, had been seen as a rising star. He chose the Gators over powerhouses like Ohio State, Alabama, and Auburn. Last season, he appeared in all 13 games, tallying 27 total tackles and two pass deflections, and really came on strong late in the year. Napier had taken notice, and Johnson was locked in as a starter at cornerback for Week 1 in the Gators’ post-spring predictions. But this arrest throws a wrench into those plans. Johnson underwent offseason shoulder surgery, which limited his spring ball participation, but now this legal trouble could change everything.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Florida, a team looking to build on a 7-6 season in 2024. Johnson’s absence, whether due to suspension or other repercussions, could be a blow to a defensive backfield that’s already thin. Napier, who’s been under pressure to turn things around, now faces another headache. The Gators’ statement of awareness is standard, but the reality is that this situation could have significant implications. Stay tuned, because this story’s developing, and for Florida, it’s a test of how they handle adversity off the field. The NFL draft is looming, and for Johnson, his draft stock could take a hit, but for now, it’s all about what comes next in Gainesville. The Gators need Johnson on the field, but they also need to uphold their standards, and Napier’s got a balancing act on his hands.
