Countdown to Canes Football: No. 24 Javion Cohen
The first edition of the Countdown to Canes Football included Oregon Transfer Portal tight end Cam McCormick, and today will be another player that decided to change schools and become a Miami Hurricane.
The Miami offensive line needed more of just about everything: size, experience, strength, athleticism, leadership and dependable depth. Adding former Alabama Crimson Tide member Javion Cohen was a great way to get the ball rolling in the right direciton for Miami.
Cohen has started for Alabama and has shown he can play with elite talent on the field. Now, where will he end up helping the Canes the most, and how?
Size: 6-foot-4, 305 pounds
Position: Offensive Guard
Year: Redshirt Junior
Schools: Phenix City (Ala.) Central / University of Alabama
Background
He was a heavily recruited player out of the prep ranks for good reason. Cohen ended up starting 24 games for the Crimson Tide in 2021 (14 starts) and 2022 (10 starts). While he's been an interior offensive lineman, in a pinch, he could probably slide out to offensive tackle.
Most importantly, he's been through big-time battles with Bama in the Southeastern Conference. Cohen's experience and maturity should not be discounted.
Pushing the Depth Chart
Will Cohen be starting for Miami this season? That battle has just begun. With sophomore Anez Cooper, plus redshirt-junior Jalen Rivers, there will be two talented players with starting experience also potentially battling Cohen for a starting job.
Do not forget about any one of the incoming talented players along the offensive line either. In particular, Samson Okunlola would seem to be a logical choice to emerge. There's more than just starting.
Additionally, Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal likes to make sure his players can play multiple spots. Hard to say exactly which spots that any one player will be at this fall or in the future, or if there could be a bit of a rotation at any point this next season.
Bottom line, Cohen will be the mix. He was a starter this spring but there were other offensive linemen that were going through injuries. Everyone will know more by the middle of fall camp, or at least by the end of the first game versus Miami of Ohio, where Cohen lies on the depth chart.
What Else Does Cohen Bring?
With five true freshmen along the offensive line, having the experience of Cohen will be a help to the Canes. As was discussed with McCormick, having an older and proven player around to help the talented newcomers will hold benefits not seen on the stat sheet.
Those critical times he talks with younger players, even some of the second or third-year players for the Canes, shall be valuable.
He's also just a massive offensive lineman. As noted at the top, the Canes needed more size and strength. Miami has desired to be a downhill running team. Cohen can help make that happen much better than what it did in 2022.
2023 Projection
Expect Cohen to battle for a starting role this fall and at least be in the lineup periodically. He's too talented and experienced not to be a contributor.
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