Alabama’s 4-Star offensive lineman signee, Javion Cohen, is working to make a smooth transition to the next level ahead of enrolling into the University of Alabama.
Cohen is one of the Tide’s three offensive linemen signees in the 2020 recruiting class. The Phenix-City product made it official with Alabama in December during the early signing period. Alabama’s 3-star offensive lineman signee, Seth McLaughlin, enrolled in January, while Damieon George and Cohen chose to enroll this Summer.
Although Cohen is not on campus, he is working to make an early impact when he does get there.
“The coaches have been sending me videos of the drills they do, trying to warm me up for what I will be doing in practice,” Cohen said. “They have also sent me my workout book, so I have been doing all of that.”
Alabama lost two important offensive linemen at the end of last season in Jedrick Wills and Matt Womack to graduation and the NFL. Redshirt junior, Scott Lashley, also transferred to Mississippi State, which means there is room for a new guy to emerge next season. Cohen said he is striving to put himself in the best position to get an opportunity to get on the field early.
“I want to stand out as a freshman,” Cohen said. “I want to be someone they see as a future leader on the team and learn the playbook as quickly as I can. I will be working on that with Evan (Neal) and coach (Andy) Kwon. I also really want to work to get all my weight numbers up because it is a different level in the SEC.”
With Alabama’s former strength and conditioning coach, Scott Cochran, choosing to leave Alabama for a special team’s coaching job at the University of Georgia, a new coach will have to work with Cohen to help pump up his weight numbers. This move by Cochran prompted some mix reactions from former and current Alabama football players. Cohen said he understands the move but has a certain date marked on his calendar.
“Every coach tells you before you commit do not come just for the coaches because it is not always a set thing.” Cohen added. “He (Cochran) took a job that was best for his family. I respect it, but we have to see him in September.”
Alabama has discussed with Cohen the positions he could possibly play. For most of his senior season, Phenix City leaned him at the tackle position. The Tide plans to work him in there and at another position.
“Right now, we are looking at right tackle and left guard,” Cohen said. “They said I will be a back up as soon as I get there.”
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
