In a surprising turn of events, Maryland football has reinstated cornerback Dontay Joyner, just weeks after head coach Michael Locksley indicated that Joyner would need a "fresh start" elsewhere. The decision to allow Joyner to return comes after a tumultuous offseason that included an arrest and a guilty plea related to harassment charges involving his former girlfriend.
A Maryland Athletics spokesperson confirmed Joyner's return, stating, "Senior defensive back Dontay Joyner has rejoined the Maryland football team. He is currently enrolled in classes and practicing with the team, but will not participate in game action until further notice." This marks a significant shift from August 5, when Locksley announced that Joyner and the program had mutually agreed to part ways following his arrest on June 11.
Joyner's legal troubles began when he was arrested in Harford County after his ex-girlfriend contacted police during a heated argument over their breakup. Court documents revealed that Joyner had made over 90 calls to her in the days leading up to his arrest and sent threatening text messages. Although a charge for electronic communication harassment was dropped, Joyner ultimately pleaded guilty to telephone misuse on July 8, resulting in a sentence of time served and three years of supervised probation.
Initially, Locksley expressed his intention to help Joyner find another program, stating, "He’s a guy that deserves another chance." However, the path to that second chance took an unexpected turn when Joyner was invited back to the team as a guest speaker during training camp. Locksley allowed him to address his former teammates about the mistakes he made, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships and respect for women.
After Joyner's talk, Locksley revealed that three senior leaders and members of Maryland's leadership council approached him, advocating for Joyner's return. They expressed a belief that Joyner would benefit from the support system at Maryland, saying, "We feel like Dontay has a support system here at Maryland, which is us, and being here is the best thing for him. We want to take ownership." Locksley acknowledged that the decision to reinstate Joyner was largely driven by the players' request rather than his own initiative.
Despite the controversy surrounding Joyner's past actions, Locksley highlighted the importance of second chances, particularly for young individuals who may make mistakes. He noted, "Sometimes people, especially young people, make mistakes, and the second chance can be life-changing." Joyner's return comes less than three months after his arrest and just weeks after Maryland publicly severed ties with him.
During the 2025 season, Joyner had established himself as a key player for the Terps, starting every game and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition. He recorded 40 tackles, two interceptions, and led the team with eight pass breakups, including a notable 67-yard interception return for a touchdown against Nebraska. His absence was felt by the team, with Locksley previously stating, "Huge loss for us, man. Dontay Joyner is a big-time football player. You don’t just replace some of the production that he had a year ago."
In the interim, Maryland had begun to adjust its roster, adding West Virginia transfer Jordan Scruggs to bolster the cornerback position. Scruggs, who has significant experience, joined a group that includes Jamare Glasker, Ricardo Cooper Jr., and Boston College transfer Amari Jackson. With Joyner's return, the Terps now have an even deeper cornerback room as they prepare for their season opener against Hampton.
While Locksley did not provide a specific timeline for when Joyner might see game action again, his reinstatement is a notable development for Maryland football as they navigate the complexities of team dynamics and player rehabilitation.
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