Florida’s defense just got a major boost heading into 2026 - and it comes in the form of a familiar face. Starting defensive back Dijon Johnson is returning for another season in Gainesville, giving new head coach Jon Sumrall a proven playmaker in the secondary as he kicks off his first year at the helm.
Johnson made his announcement through Florida Victorious, the Gators’ NIL partner, and his message was clear: this decision is personal.
“It means everything to me. I’m from the state of Florida, just about two hours from Gainesville, so staying close to home and having my family able to watch me play is huge,” Johnson said.
“I also feel like I have unfinished business here. I want to finish my career the right way and go out winning as a Gator.”
This is a player who’s been steadily climbing the depth chart since he arrived in 2023 as a highly touted four-star recruit. Johnson cut his teeth on special teams as a freshman, then carved out a role in the defensive backfield in 2024, appearing in 13 games and earning five starts. He opened the 2025 season as a starter, locking down one of the corner spots for the first four games before a season-ending injury brought things to a halt.
But now, he’s back - and he’s not just returning to suit up. He’s coming back with big goals and a chip on his shoulder.
“My first goal is to stay healthy all season,” Johnson said. “Beyond that, I want to be highly productive and make a real impact on the defense.
I’m aiming for a first-team All-SEC and All-American type of year. Those goals are written down, and I’m locked in on chasing them.”
That kind of mindset is exactly what Florida’s defense needs. Johnson’s 2024 campaign showed flashes of what he’s capable of - 25 tackles, two pass breakups, one tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry - and he was off to a strong start in 2025 before the injury, logging 174 snaps, eight tackles (seven solo), one interception, and one pass breakup in limited action.
This return sets the tone for a Gators defense looking to re-establish its identity under Sumrall. Johnson isn’t just a returning starter - he’s a tone-setter, a veteran presence, and a guy who knows what it means to wear the orange and blue.
There’s something to be said about a player who chooses to come back when he could have moved on. Johnson’s betting on himself, and he’s betting on Florida. And if he stays healthy, his fourth year could be his best yet.
#UnfinishedBusiness - that’s more than just a hashtag. For Dijon Johnson, it’s a mission.