Billy Napier gives update on Florida CB Dijon Johnson after May arrest

During his appearance this week at SEC Spring Meetings, Florida coach Billy Napier addressed the status of projected starter Dijon Johnson for the first time since his May 2 arrest in Tampa, Fla. The junior cornerback is back on campus for UF classes and summer workouts.

He was charged with second-degree felony for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, third-degree felony for possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor resisting an officer without violence and misdemeanor possession of cannabis less than 20 grams.

Napier provided an update on Johnson’s status with the team but did not discuss any potential discipline or suspension for him as they let the legal process play out.

“We’ll handle all the discipline internally. We’re gonna let things take their course,” Napier said of Johnson, via the Orlando Sentinel. “We started some of that process with [Dijon] in-house already. He’s back in summer school and he’s working with our team. He’s got good representation, and we’ll let it take its course.”

Tim Taylor, the attorney for Johnson, sent out a press release five days after his arrest. At the time, he said no formal charges had been filed against his client.

“We are in dialogue with the State Attorney’s Office regarding Dijon’s traffic stop,” Taylor said in a statement. “Any potential charging decision will, of course, need to be consistent with Florida law. We are eager for all the pertinent facts to come to light.”

Johnson was arrested at 11:20 p.m. on May 2 and booked two hours later. The University of Florida released a statement four days later saying it was aware of the situation, gathering facts and monitoring the legal and administrative processes.

“I think there’s some lessons to be learned, and we’ll keep it at that,” Napier said of Johnson’s arrest. “I think that hopefully it will be a teachable moment not only for him but for the entire team and for young people in general.”

Dijon Johnson started five games in 2024

Johnson played the most snaps at cornerback last season and made five starts in 13 games. He recorded 25 total tackles (16 solo), one QB hurry and two pass break-ups.

Johnson filed written pleas on May 7 of not guilty on all charges while waiving his arraignment appearance, according to Hillsborough County court records. 

Johnson is one of only a few players to experience legal troubles during Napier’s endure. Florida’s fourth-year coach hopes his teammates can learn from the situation.

“I think we’ve established what we expect from the players,” Napier said. “I think the big thing is, you kind of turn it into a positive to some degree, in terms of taking great pride in who you represent. You represent your family, you represent your institution as a whole, and then I think the program in general, and that specific group of players as a team that we’ve worked hard to create. So over time, we’re hopeful that a lot of these things that we talk about stick.

“But nobody’s perfect, and they love football and I think that creates opportunities to teach a lot in terms of how to be someone that’s respected, and to be accountable. We’re hopeful that these guys will do a lot more than just be football players, so while we have them, let’s do our part to try to use the game of football. So far, so good. I hate it when any of them have issues but that’s part of it when you’ve got 117 teenagers, early 20s running around. But in general, you’ve got to pick the right ones too, that’s part of it. Recruiting, evaluating, it’s all part of the program.”