The Miami football program bolstered its offensive line on Sunday morning with a commitment from Alabama transfer Javion Cohen. Cohen has 25 career starts per the official Alabama website. Miami will have two seasons of eligibility remaining from Cohen. Cohen was primarily a left guard at Alabama.
After starting all 14 games for Alabama in 2021, Cohen had 10 starts for the Crimson Tide in 2022. Cohen allowed 17 knockdown blocks, 1.5 sacks allowed, four pressures, four QB hits and was penalized only three times in 2022. Cohen’s first career start was in the 2021 season opener versus Miami.
Alabama signed Cohen in the class of 2020 as the 333rd-ranked player, 25th offensive tackle and 16th prospect in Alabama per the 247 Sports composite rankings. Miami could choose to move Cohen to right tackle or play him at guard. Zion Nelson is expected to return from injury to be the starting left tackle.
The commitment from Cohen continued a big week of momentum for Mario Cristobal and the Miami football staff with the Early National Signing Period from Wednesday through Thursday. Miami received commitments from four-star prospects, defensive lineman Rueben Bain and OT Samson Okulola this week.
305 let’s handle business 🙌🏾🌊 pic.twitter.com/tiVJCQbBLn
— Javion Cohen (@cnoivaj) December 18, 2022
Miami was decimated by injuries on the OL in 2022. Starting guard Jalen Rivers is expected to return from injury in 2023. Miami is also expected to return starting center Jakai Clark in 2023. The additions of Cohen, Okunlola and Mauigoa provide Miami with depth and more competition on the OL.
Only Clark and Nelson on the projected 2023 Miami OL have more career starts than Cohen. Miami had been the heavy favorite to land Cohen throughout most of his recruitment as a transfer. Cohen posted updates of his visit and when he checked in at Miami on Friday. Cohen should be a leader on the 2023 Miami OL.
Cohen was on the SEC All-Freshman team in 2020 and was named second-team All-SEC in 2022. The addition of Cohen should be the first of many transfer additions for Miami to the 2023 roster after losing 17 transfers following the 2022 season. A few more could announce before the early national signing period on Wednesday/