Impact Of A Scholarship: Javon Leake

Former University of Maryland football star Javon Leake was one of the most electrifying players in the nation during his three-year career with the Terps from 2017-19.

He was known for his big play ability and made his biggest impact on special teams. The running back was named the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year and took home First Team All-Big Ten honors as a return specialist in 2019 as a junior. Leake also broke out that year, setting career numbers in rushing and receiving. He decided to capitalize on his success and left school early to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

Leake spent time with three different NFL franchises as an undrafted free agent and is now a Canadian Football League (CFL) star. However, the former Terp recently decided to return to the University of Maryland and finish his degree. Leake is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in communication.

“I remember before I committed, they used to say that we can come back to school if you leave early or if you didn't finish your degree,” Leake said. “I always thought that was pretty cool because not every university does that.”

The University of Maryland allows former scholarship student-athletes across all sports who left in good standing to re-enroll and finish their degrees while continuing their scholarship. Devon Frieson, the associate director of the Gossett student-athlete center, oversees all the football program’s academics. He says the university and its football program refer to the opportunity as the “guaranteed Maryland way.”

“With Maryland football, we care about you and your life after the game,” Frieson said. “Coming back and getting that degree whenever it is. …We want to allow them to do that. We're pushing for people to do that.”

Leake saw many people close to him graduating and that motivated him to return to school. His former teammate at Maryland, Antoine Brooks Jr., also messaged him and expressed the same interest in returning and finishing his degree. Leake says earning his degree would greatly benefit his future endeavors. He is currently planning to re-enroll for the 2024 fall semester.

Many other former Maryland football stars have returned or expressed interest in returning to finish their degrees. Frieson says Keandre Jones, current Washington Commanders linebacker, returned to take a couple of classes last semester. Stefon Diggs also reached out last semester expressing his desire to take a couple of classes.

Frieson even mentioned D'Qwell Jackson, who left the university early in 2005 and went on to a decade-long NFL career. He returned to Maryland and earned his degree in the spring of 2018.

Leake, a native of Greensboro, N.C., reflected on his days playing football for the Terps. The running back knew Maryland was where he wanted to be after his first visit.

“I was blessed, that was a fun time in my life,” he said. “Coming fresh out of high school, trying to decide where you want to go. I did an official visit to Maryland, and I felt like that was home. I always thought it was a perfect fit from the start.”

Leake joined Anthony McFarland Jr. and Tayon Fleet-Davis as running backs from the Terps’ 2017 recruiting class. He says he maintains a close relationship with his former teammates in the backfield.

Leake got onto the field as a freshman, primarily as a kickoff returner. He earned an increased workload the next few years and as a junior in 2019, he led the Terps with 736 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Leake was named an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten running back for his breakout season.

He also ranked third in the FBS and led the Big Ten with 804 kick return yards in 2019. He added two kick return touchdowns, which is tied for the most in a single season in program history. Leake finished his career tied for most kickoff return touchdowns in program history (three) and fifth all-time in Maryland history in kick return yards (1,487).

“Maryland gave me that dog inside to keep fighting,” Leake said. “It taught me to stay with my brothers and stay close to the people that matter. When I got to the league and CFL, anything I went through wasn't as hard or wasn't going to strike me as much because we went through everything you could go through at Maryland.”

Leake spent time with the Detroit Lions in 2021 and the Washington Commanders and New York Giants in 2020. He joined the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts for the 2022 season and promptly won the Grey Cup, the CFL’s championship title. 

His next season in 2023 was met with impressive individual accomplishment. Leake was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and an all-star. He led the CFL and set a new franchise mark for the Argonauts with four punt return touchdowns. The former Terp recorded 1,216 punt return yards for the third-highest total in CFL history.

“Being recognized by fans and your peers is the best feeling, but I don't let it get to me,” Leake said. “I practice the way I play. …These trophies don't mean anything. I continue to do what I’m doing and see what else it brings.”

Leake signed with the Edmonton Elks in February during free agency and is set to make his regular-season debut with his new team on June 8. It will be the CFL’s offseason when Leake returns to Maryland in the fall, allowing him to allocate more time for his studies.

Leake shared his gratitude for the University of Maryland and its opportunity for former scholarship student-athletes seeking degrees. For him, it's like he never left.

“I'm humble about my time at Maryland and I'm grateful,” Leake said. “There were a lot of things that happened, and I learned from them. I built so many relationships with staff and people that will last forever. Maryland is forever in my heart.”