Maryland football gets a big piece back along the defensive line as defensive lineman Lavon Johnson has announced his return for his third season to the program. Johnson initially announced his departure on Dec. 23, but the Pa. native had an open door back into the program before that ultimately materialized the day after Christmas.
Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 311-pound defensive lineman, serves as a notable offseason win for head coach Mike Locksley and his staff as he, Dillon Fontus and Neeo Avery enter their third seasons at Maryland to anchor a unit that also signed Saint Francis NT Eyan Thomas last week to bolster the rotation.
After appearing in six games in 2023, Johnson became a bigger piece along the defensive line rotation in 2024 where he totaled 14 tackles and 0.5 TFLs in eight games he was available. Across two seasons, Johnson has 19 total tackles,1.5 TFLs and one sack as he steps into the role left vacant by Jordan Phillips, who announced he will forgo his eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
With Johnson officially set to return for a third season with the program, Maryland will look to address the edge position with the winter transfer portal window set to close on Dec. 30.
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