On Friday morning, it appeared that the UNC football program added a transfer to help bolster its defensive line unit.
Well, something changed over the span of a few hours...
Maryland transfer DL Lavon Johnson, who signed a contract earlier today with UNC, has now signed with Texas, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/VxSGJETKD9 https://t.co/GD5OiBWTMi
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) April 18, 2025
Maryland transfer Lavon Johnson originally committed to North Carolina, but changed his mind just hours later. The former Terrapin is now committed to the University of Texas.
Um... okay...
This is just another reminder of how messed up the transfer portal is.
I get that it's not an easy decision for student-athletes to make. There's a lot of information being thrown at them, and quite frankly, how do you decipher what's legit or not?
My gripe is this: if you commit to a program, be fully committed. If there is any doubt or hesitation, don't make the decision until you're sure.
Johnson is just an example of the bigger problem at hand. The transfer portal is an absolute mess in all aspects, and the NCAA needs to do something to regulate it.
At this point, why even get excited when a player (either via high school recruiting or through the transfer portal) commits to your program? Sure, they might end up getting on campus, but whose to say that the student-athlete will ever compete for the program?
Ryan Browne left after one semester (and never played a snap for the Tar Heels). Lavon Johnson's commitment to North Carolina didn't even last more than 10 hours before he changed his tune.
The sad part is: this is happening all across the country. It's not just a Chapel Hill issue.