Alabama Crimson Tide to Miami Hurricanes: UM’s vaunted incoming OL nabs major transfer
Mario Cristobal’s already heralded incoming class of offensive linemen just got beefier for the better.
Alabama left guard Javion Cohen, a Crimson Tide starter and second-team All-SEC honoree by the league coaches, announced his allegiance to the University of Miami as a soon-to-be transfer.
The 6-4, 305-pound Cohen, from Phenix City, Alabama, posted on Twitter a photo of himself in his ‘Bama uniform with the word “Miami” written across the top and on the bottom in giant letters “COMMITTED,’’ with the orange and green U underneath.
“305 let’s handle business,’’ Cohen tweeted.
Cohen, who has two years of eligibility remaining, will join five-star high school offensive line commits Samson Okunlola and Francis Mauigoa, as well as 3-star commits Tommy Kinsler, Frankie Tinilau and Antonio Tripp. And that’s not including veterans Zion Nelson, who was injured almost all last season; Jalen Rivers, who also was injured much of the season; center Jakai Clark and up-and-coming llineman Anez Cooper.
The Hurricanes recently lost fifth-year left tackle John Campbell Jr. to the transfer portal. Veteran D.J. Scaife is entering the NFL Draft.
Cohen visited campus this weekend and told InsidetheU of the 247Sports recruiting network: “The people here are genuine and they respect you. That was something that was very important to me. I’m a people person and being able to work with someone who cares about you more than even an athlete is very important...”
The 247Sports site has Cohen as the No. 8 ranked player and top offensive lineman in its transfer rankings. He started 10 games in 2022 and played 554 total snaps, with 17 knockdown blocks, 1.5 sacks allowed, four pressures, four quarterback hits and three penalties, according to the Alabama website.
In 2021 he started 14 games for Alabama’s No. 6 scoring offense, No. 7 passing offense and No. 5 red zone offense. And in 2020 he was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team after playing sparingly at Tennessee and then against Mississippi State, and off the bench against Kentucky, LSU and Arkansas.
Cohen was a four-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports at Phenix City Central High. He was ranked the ninth best player in Alabama by Rivals and No. 15 by the 247Sports composite rankings.
This story was originally published December 18, 2022 at 2:06 PM.
