Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Desjuan Johnson is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive lineman for the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football League (NFL). Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Johnson played college football at the University of Toledo before being selected with the final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Desjuan Johnson’s family includes his mother, Lacreasia Stegar, his late father, Dion Johnson, and five siblings: Dion, Dejon, Derion, Dionjanae and Darelle. His grandfather, Roland Stegar, also played an important role in his upbringing after his father’s death.
Johnson has frequently discussed the sacrifices his family made to support his football ambitions. Although his parents and siblings are publicly identified, information about his romantic relationships and whether he has children remains private.
Desjuan Johnson’s Girlfriend or Wife
As of now, Desjuan Johnson has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend or wife through reliable interviews, official NFL biographies or established news publications.
The Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman has generally kept his romantic relationships away from public attention.
Most of his interviews have focused on his football career, childhood in Detroit, and the influence of his late father and mother.
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Johnson is married or engaged.
Consequently, his current relationship status remains unconfirmed. The absence of publicly available information does not necessarily mean that he is single or has never been in a relationship.
Desjuan Johnson’s Children
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming whether Desjuan Johnson has children.
His official Los Angeles Rams biography and University of Toledo player profile do not identify any sons or daughters.
Although Johnson has publicly discussed his parents, siblings and extended family, he has not made a widely documented announcement about becoming a father.
His parental status therefore remains private, and it would be inaccurate to claim definitively that he has no children.
Desjuan Johnson’s Parents
Desjuan Johnson was born to Dion Johnson and Lacreasia Stegar in Detroit, Michigan.
Their identities are confirmed in his official University of Toledo athletic biography, which identifies his father as a former University of Kansas football player.
Johnson experienced a difficult childhood after losing his father at approximately four years old. His mother subsequently became one of the most influential people in his development.
Desjuan Johnson’s Father: Dion Johnson
Dion Johnson was Desjuan Johnson’s father and a former college football defensive tackle who played for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1996 through 1999.
During his college career, Dion developed into a productive defensive lineman, starting 31 games and recording 34 tackles during his senior season.
He hoped to continue his football career professionally and pursued opportunities after graduating from Kansas.
According to a November 2022 report published by the University of Toledo, Dion played professional football overseas while continuing to pursue his NFL ambitions.
However, his life changed dramatically in May 2002 when he was struck by a stray bullet while driving in Detroit.
The shooting left him paralyzed, and he died in 2004 when Desjuan was approximately four years old.
Although Desjuan was very young when his father died, he retained several memories of their time together.
In his University of Toledo interview, Johnson recalled playing catch with his father, being lifted into the air and wearing his father’s Kansas football helmet.
He also revealed that he kept a photograph of Dion wearing his Kansas uniform in his college locker.
Seeing the photograph before practices and games reminded him of his father’s football ambitions and encouraged him to continue working toward the NFL.
For Johnson, becoming a professional football player represented an opportunity to fulfill a dream his father never had the chance to complete.
When the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the 2023 NFL Draft, Johnson acknowledged his father’s influence and expressed his belief that Dion would be proud of his achievement.
Desjuan Johnson’s Mother: Lacreasia Stegar
Lacreasia Stegar is Desjuan Johnson’s mother and one of the most important figures in his life. Her name is also spelled Lacresia Stegar in some University of Toledo news articles.
Following the death of Desjuan’s father in 2004, Lacreasia raised her children in Detroit, Michigan.
In a November 2022 interview with the University of Toledo, she discussed the challenges of raising her family as a single mother while supporting her children’s athletic interests.
She recalled that Desjuan became interested in football after watching his older brothers, Dion and Dejon, participate in youth football.
When he was approaching his fifth birthday, Lacreasia asked him what he wanted as a birthday present.
Desjuan immediately expressed his desire to begin playing football.
His mother purchased the necessary equipment and drove him to his first football practice.
However, the young Johnson was so excited that he forgot to bring his football cleats.
The incident eventually inspired his nickname, “Boots,” which followed him throughout his athletic career.
Lacreasia continued supporting Desjuan as he developed into a talented football player at East English Village Preparatory Academy and later at the University of Toledo.
She also spoke positively about his behavior and determination, explaining that he was generally responsible and rarely caused problems during his upbringing.
Her encouragement helped Johnson maintain his focus despite the challenges associated with growing up in Detroit.
In December 2022, Johnson became the first member of his family to graduate from college, an achievement that was particularly meaningful to his mother.
Desjuan Johnson’s Siblings
Desjuan Johnson has five siblings: three brothers named Dion, Dejon and Derion, and two sisters named Dionjanae and Darelle.
Their names are confirmed in his official University of Toledo football biography.
Although Johnson’s siblings have generally maintained private personal lives, his two older brothers, Dion and Dejon, played an especially important role in introducing him to football.
Dion Johnson: Desjuan Johnson’s Brother
Dion Johnson is one of Desjuan Johnson’s older brothers.
He shares his name with their late father, who played defensive tackle for the University of Kansas.
According to a University of Toledo family profile published in November 2022, Dion participated in youth football before Desjuan began playing the sport.
Watching Dion and his brother Dejon practice and compete helped inspire Desjuan’s early interest in football.
However, reliable public information about Dion’s subsequent education, occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
Dejon Johnson: Desjuan Johnson’s Brother
Dejon Johnson is another of Desjuan Johnson’s older brothers.
Like Dion, Dejon was involved in youth football during Desjuan’s childhood in Detroit.
The two older brothers provided Desjuan with an early example of athletic participation and encouraged his interest in the sport.
Desjuan’s desire to follow his brothers onto the football field ultimately became an important starting point in his athletic development.
Although Dejon’s identity and childhood participation in football are confirmed, his professional career and personal life have not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
Derion Johnson: Desjuan Johnson’s Brother
Derion Johnson is Desjuan Johnson’s third brother.
His identity is confirmed in Desjuan’s official University of Toledo football biography, which lists Dion, Dejon and Derion as his brothers.
Unlike Dion and Dejon, Derion has not been extensively discussed in the publicly available accounts of Desjuan’s early football career.
Information about his education, occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
Dionjanae Johnson: Desjuan Johnson’s Sister
Dionjanae Johnson is one of Desjuan Johnson’s two sisters.
She is identified in the personal information section of his University of Toledo football biography.
Dionjanae belongs to the family that supported Desjuan throughout his childhood and development as an athlete.
However, reliable public sources have not provided extensive information about her educational background, professional career or personal relationships.
Darelle Johnson: Desjuan Johnson’s Sister
Darelle Johnson is Desjuan Johnson’s other sister.
Her identity is also confirmed in his official University of Toledo athletic biography.
Although Darelle is publicly identified as a member of the Johnson family, she has maintained a relatively private personal life.
Reliable information about her career, education and relationships has not been extensively published.
Desjuan Johnson’s Grandfather: Roland Stegar
Roland Stegar is Desjuan Johnson’s maternal grandfather and one of the most influential male figures in his upbringing.
After Desjuan lost his father, Roland provided guidance and emotional support to him and his brothers.
During a November 2022 interview with the University of Toledo, Desjuan credited his grandfather with teaching the family important lessons about responsibility, discipline and making good decisions.
Roland helped provide the positive male influence that Johnson needed throughout his childhood.
He also supported Desjuan’s football career and attended important family celebrations.
In 2022, Roland joined Desjuan and Lacreasia during Senior Day celebrations at the University of Toledo’s Glass Bowl.
His involvement demonstrates the significant role extended family members played in Johnson’s life after his father’s death.
How Desjuan Johnson’s Family Influenced His Football Career
Desjuan Johnson grew up on the east side of Detroit, Michigan, where he faced several personal and social challenges.
Despite losing his father at a young age, he received encouragement from his mother, grandfather and siblings.
Football became an important part of his childhood and helped him remain focused on positive activities.
Johnson attended East English Village Preparatory Academy, where he developed into a promising defensive lineman.
His performances earned him an opportunity to play college football at the University of Toledo.
At Toledo, he gradually established himself as one of the most productive defensive players in the Mid-American Conference.
During his college career, Johnson recorded 210 tackles, 47 tackles for loss and 15 sacks across 54 games.
His final season in 2022 was particularly successful, as he recorded 65 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Johnson also achieved an important academic milestone when he became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
His achievement was celebrated by the university and represented a significant moment for his mother and other relatives.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Johnson with the 259th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Because he was the final player selected, Johnson received the traditional title of “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Despite the unusual distinction, his selection marked the fulfillment of a lifelong dream inspired by his late father.
Johnson subsequently began his professional career with the Rams, wearing jersey No. 94 and contributing to the team’s defensive line rotation.
Desjuan Johnson’s Relationship With His Family
Desjuan Johnson has consistently emphasized the importance of family throughout his football journey.
His mother’s efforts to raise her children following the death of their father helped establish his determination to succeed.
His older brothers inspired him to begin playing football, while his grandfather provided guidance during his formative years.
Johnson has also explained that his father’s memory remains a powerful source of motivation.
Keeping a photograph of Dion in his college locker allowed him to maintain a personal connection to his father’s unfinished football ambitions.
When Johnson entered the NFL in 2023, he spoke about the importance of honoring his father’s legacy and making his family proud.
His story illustrates how family support can influence an athlete’s development through difficult circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Desjuan Johnson’s Family
Who is Desjuan Johnson’s girlfriend?
As of now, Desjuan Johnson has not publicly confirmed the identity of a girlfriend through reliable sources.
Is Desjuan Johnson married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that Desjuan Johnson is married or has a wife.
Does Desjuan Johnson have children?
No reliable public information currently confirms whether Desjuan Johnson has children.
Who are Desjuan Johnson’s parents?
Desjuan Johnson’s parents are the late Dion Johnson and Lacreasia Stegar, according to his official University of Toledo football biography.
Who was Desjuan Johnson’s father?
His father was Dion Johnson, a former University of Kansas defensive tackle who died in 2004 after being injured in a shooting in Detroit.
Who is Desjuan Johnson’s mother?
His mother is Lacreasia Stegar, who raised her children in Detroit and supported Desjuan throughout his football career.
How many siblings does Desjuan Johnson have?
Desjuan Johnson has five siblings: three brothers and two sisters.
Who are Desjuan Johnson’s brothers?
His brothers are Dion Johnson, Dejon Johnson and Derion Johnson.
Who are Desjuan Johnson’s sisters?
His sisters are Dionjanae Johnson and Darelle Johnson.
Who is Desjuan Johnson’s grandfather?
His maternal grandfather is Roland Stegar, who helped guide the family after the death of Desjuan’s father.
Where is Desjuan Johnson’s family from?
Desjuan Johnson grew up with his family on the east side of Detroit, Michigan.
Why is Desjuan Johnson called Mr. Irrelevant?
Johnson received the title of Mr. Irrelevant because the Los Angeles Rams selected him with the final pick, No. 259, in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
