Johns then played four seasons (2010–2014) of NCAA Division I hockey with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team, helping Notre Dame to win the 2013 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. As a sophomore Johns was selected to compete with Team USA at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, and in his senior year his outstanding play was recognized when he was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team and also to the 2014 Hockey East All Tournament Team.