Latest news with #DijonJohnson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gators coach Billy Napier says Tre Wilson looks like ‘a million bucks'
MIRAMAR BEACH — Before bolting Wednesday from the SEC meetings, where portal windows and playoff formats have dominated talks, Gators football coach Billy Napier sat down with two in-state reporters to discuss topics more indigenous to his fan base. Such as the fate of cornerback Dijon Johnson, the progress of receiver Tre Wilson, and the potential of heralded freshman pass catcher Dallas Wilson. For good measure, we tossed in Napier's thoughts on the playoff models and possible play-in games being pondered by the SEC. Advertisement Here are excerpts from the conversation (edited for brevity and clarity). On cornerback Dijon Johnson (the Wharton High alumnus arrested in early May on two felonies): 'We'll handle all the discipline internally. We're gonna let things take their course. We started some of that process with (Dijon) in-house already. (Dijon'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.' Is there a level of disappointment? 'I think there's some lessons to be learned, and we'll keep it at that. ... 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.' Advertisement On receiver (and Gaither alumnus) Tre Wilson's progress this spring following knee surgery and a procedure to correct a genetic hip issue: 'Tre did great. He did practice quite a bit. Black jersey, we kept him out of contact, and I think he did everything to some degree. We just kept him out of contact. He looked like a million bucks. It was a daily reminder like, 'Forgot about that guy.' 'He's one of the best players that we have this year. ... He's also a really good work ethic, practice player; rubs off on the other players. He's hungry to get back. It's unfortunate the situation he had, but he'll be back. That's one of the story lines nobody's talking about.' On Wilson's role as a freshman (in 2023) and how it will evolve in 2025: 'Trying to get him touches. You're trying to make it simple for him (as a rookie), keep him involved when he's young. Look, the guy, he can run the full route tree. He'll be a player as long as he's working the way that he has been working. And he is healthy. We'll be intentional about his involvement, for sure.' Advertisement On freshman receiver (and Tampa Bay Tech alum) Dallas Wilson's huge spring game and his potential impact in 2025: 'I think being a mid-year (enrollee) helps you. And I think in college football, systematically, you better be able to get a first-year player ready to go, whether it's portal or an incoming freshman. Nowadays, you got skill players, they better be able to contribute to your team if they're good enough. 'So, obviously, Dallas had a great spring and a big summer coming up for him to take the next step. But one thing about Dallas is, his motor runs hot. He's working. He's durable. He really handled the practice load. He was one of those rookies where he handled it well. That was what was impressive to me, was the toughness, the ability to keep going.' Can he be in the elite class of freshman pass catchers we saw in 2024, such as Alabama's Ryan Williams and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith? 'Yeah, I think I'm going to stick with what you said earlier, not play the comparison game. But I do think there's a difference between spring practice, the spring game, and then, OK hey, now it's time to go compete against the best players in the world. Advertisement 'That's essentially what he's getting ready to do this fall. So I always talk to those guys like, 'Can you win a matchup against the best corners in the world?' That's what we're asking him to do.' On the Gators' organized team activities schedule: 'Tuesday, Thursday, essentially, and then we do some voluntary work on Saturdays. But for the most part, we do 14 of them throughout the summer. Some of that is player-run, some of that is summer access with the players. We've been doing that for years. The format has changed, so now it's a little bit more coordinated than it has been in the past, but it's still a critical time for your team in terms of leadership, the development of roles, guys finding their voice amongst the team.' On the proposed 16-team playoff model and the proposed play-in model (in which six to eight SEC teams would have play-in games to determine the league's playoff spots): 'To me, you have two variables that are important. No. 1, we need to create more revenue. How do you do that? Is that a ninth regular-season (SEC) game? Is that the play-in model? Is that a partnership with the Big Ten? Who knows? I think a lot of things contribute to that. Advertisement 'But ... from an athletic department perspective, given revenue share, where do we go to create more funds? That's No. 1. And then No. 2, how do we get as many teams as possible into the playoff as a conference? So it's a Catch-22 there to some degree. So I think that's what we're looking for.' On whether he expects quarterback DJ Lagway to be 100% by the season opener: 'Yeah, confident he will be.' • • • Sign up for our Sports Today newsletter to get daily updates on the Bucs, Rays, Lightning and college football across Florida. Every weekday, tune into our Sports Day Tampa Bay podcast to hear reporter Rick Stroud break down the biggest stories in Tampa Bay sports. Never miss out on the latest with your favorite Tampa Bay sports teams. Follow our coverage on X and Facebook.
NBC News
07-05-2025
- NBC News
Florida's Dijon Johnson charged by police with possession of a gun and synthetic marijuana
TAMPA, Fla. — Police have charged Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson with two felonies, including possession of a firearm, and two misdemeanors after his arrest over the weekend while driving a car in Tampa. Police said they pulled over the car Friday for surpassing a stop signal. Officers detected a 'strong odor of burned marijuana' and said Johnson was argumentative during the traffic stop, refusing to exit the gray Dodge Challenger, according to the criminal report filed in Hillsborough County. Johnson was removed from the car and placed into custody. They searched the vehicle and found marijuana and 8 grams of synthetic marijuana inside a backpack. A black Glock 19 loaded with 17 rounds in a magazine also was found in the car, according to the report. The gun charge is a second-degree felony. Possession of the synthetic marijuana is a third-degree felony, and the marijuana possession and resisting arrest without violence charges are misdemeanors. Attorney Tim Taylor told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Johnson has filed written pleas of not guilty to all charges. He said a statement would be released later in the day. Coach Billy Napier said in a statement the program is 'aware of the situation.' 'We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal and administrative processes,' Napier said. Johnson, 21, was booked early Saturday and released the following night after posting an $8,500 surety bond, according to jail records. A 6-foot-1, 196-pound junior from Tampa, Johnson recorded 27 tackles and two pass breakups last season.
Toronto Star
07-05-2025
- Toronto Star
Florida's Dijon Johnson charged by police with possession of a gun, synthetic marijuana
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Police have charged Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson with two felonies, including possession of a firearm, and two misdemeanors after his arrest over the weekend while driving a car in Tampa. Police said they pulled over the car Friday for surpassing a stop signal. Officers detected a 'strong odor of burned marijuana' and said Johnson was argumentative during the traffic stop, refusing to exit the gray Dodge Challenger, according to the criminal report filed in Hillsborough County.
Fox Sports
07-05-2025
- Fox Sports
Florida's Dijon Johnson charged by police with possession of a gun, synthetic marijuana
Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Police have charged Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson with two felonies, including possession of a firearm, and two misdemeanors after his arrest over the weekend while driving a car in Tampa. Police said they pulled over the car Friday for surpassing a stop signal. Officers detected a 'strong odor of burned marijuana' and said Johnson was argumentative during the traffic stop, refusing to exit the gray Dodge Challenger, according to the criminal report filed in Hillsborough County. Johnson was removed from the car and placed into custody. They searched the vehicle and found marijuana and 8 grams of synthetic marijuana inside a backpack. A black Glock 19 loaded with 17 rounds in a magazine also was found in the car, according to the report. The gun charge is a second-degree felony. Possession of the synthetic marijuana is a third-degree felony, and the marijuana possession and resisting arrest without violence charges are misdemeanors. Attorney Tim Taylor told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Johnson has filed written pleas of not guilty to all charges. He said a statement would be released later in the day. Coach Billy Napier said in a statement the program is 'aware of the situation.' 'We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal and administrative processes," Napier said. Johnson, 21, was booked early Saturday and released the following night after posting an $8,500 surety bond, according to jail records. A 6-foot-1, 196-pound junior from Tampa, Johnson recorded 27 tackles and two pass breakups last season. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and recommended in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Florida's Dijon Johnson charged by police with possession of a gun, synthetic marijuana
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Police have charged Florida cornerback Dijon Johnson with two felonies, including possession of a firearm, and two misdemeanors after his arrest over the weekend while driving a car in Tampa. Police said they pulled over the car Friday for surpassing a stop signal. Officers detected a 'strong odor of burned marijuana' and said Johnson was argumentative during the traffic stop, refusing to exit the gray Dodge Challenger, according to the criminal report filed in Hillsborough County. Johnson was removed from the car and placed into custody. They searched the vehicle and found marijuana and 8 grams of synthetic marijuana inside a backpack. A black Glock 19 loaded with 17 rounds in a magazine also was found in the car, according to the report. FILE - Florida defensive back Dijon Johnson (27) follows a play against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File) The gun charge is a second-degree felony. Possession of the synthetic marijuana is a third-degree felony, and the marijuana possession and resisting arrest without violence charges are misdemeanors. Attorney Tim Taylor told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Johnson has filed written pleas of not guilty to all charges. He said a statement would be released later in the day. Coach Billy Napier said in a statement the program is 'aware of the situation.' Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'We will continue to gather facts, cooperate with and monitor the legal and administrative processes,' Napier said. Johnson, 21, was booked early Saturday and released the following night after posting an $8,500 surety bond, according to jail records. A 6-foot-1, 196-pound junior from Tampa, Johnson recorded 27 tackles and two pass breakups last season. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: and
