The Miami Hurricanes remain firmly in the hunt for one of the nation’s top running back prospects despite his commitment elsewhere, as head coach Mario Cristobal continues to push for a late recruiting flip ahead of the early signing period.
Much of the recent recruiting spotlight surrounding Miami has centered on its efforts to flip five-star edge rusher DJ Jacobs from Ohio State, but another high-profile target has quietly remained on the Hurricanes’ radar. According to recruiting insiders, Miami has never backed away from its pursuit of four-star running back Myson Johnson-Cook, even after he committed to Auburn earlier this year.
Johnson-Cook, one of the premier running backs in the 2027 recruiting cycle, appeared to be heavily leaning toward Miami throughout the spring. The standout prospect from East St. Louis made multiple visits to Coral Gables, creating widespread expectations that he would eventually join the Hurricanes’ class.
However, the recruiting landscape shifted dramatically in late April when Johnson-Cook announced his commitment to Auburn, giving the Tigers one of the biggest offensive additions in their class. While many programs would have moved on after such a decision, Cristobal and his staff have continued building their relationship with the talented running back.
Recruiting analyst Gaby Urrutia of 247Sports recently revealed that communication between Miami and Johnson-Cook has remained active throughout the summer. He noted that the Hurricanes still believe they have a realistic opportunity to change the recruit’s mind before he signs, and there is even speculation that Johnson-Cook could return to Miami this fall to attend a Hurricanes home game.
According to Urrutia, Auburn’s successful recruitment was influenced in part by a strong NIL package and the Tigers’ determination to make Johnson-Cook one of the cornerstone commitments in head coach Alex Golesh’s first full recruiting class. Even so, Miami believes factors beyond financial incentives could eventually reshape the recruitment.
The Hurricanes are confident that the overall environment in Coral Gables—including player development, offensive fit, and the trajectory of the current recruiting class—could make the program increasingly attractive as Johnson-Cook evaluates his future over the coming months.
Urrutia explained that Miami coaches have maintained regular contact with the four-star prospect and believe he is paying close attention to the direction of the Hurricanes’ recruiting efforts. While Auburn may currently hold his commitment, Miami hopes that its strong momentum on the recruiting trail will keep the door open for a potential flip.
Cristobal has earned a reputation as one of college football’s most relentless recruiters, rarely ending communication with elite prospects until they officially sign their letters of intent. That persistence has helped Miami secure several late recruiting victories in previous cycles, and the staff appears willing to take the same approach with Johnson-Cook.
The Hurricanes currently boast one of the nation’s top-five recruiting classes according to multiple recruiting services, despite having only around 20 commitments. A major reason for that impressive ranking is the exceptionally high percentage of blue-chip prospects already committed, giving Miami one of the most talent-rich classes in the country.
Johnson-Cook was originally expected to be part of that elite group before choosing Auburn, making him an even higher priority for Cristobal’s staff as they continue exploring every opportunity to bring him back into the fold.
Miami has already secured a commitment from four-star running back Ty Keys, who pledged to the Hurricanes on May 1. Nevertheless, the coaching staff is widely expected to add another running back to the class after signing only one at the position during the previous recruiting cycle.
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson places significant emphasis on establishing a productive rushing attack, and Miami believes Keys and Johnson-Cook possess complementary skill sets that could create a dynamic one-two combination in the future backfield. Reports also suggest Keys would welcome additional competition if Johnson-Cook eventually joins the class.
With several months remaining before the Early Signing Period, Miami’s pursuit of Johnson-Cook is far from over. The Hurricanes continue to believe there is a legitimate opportunity to flip the highly regarded Auburn pledge, ensuring that his recruitment will remain one of the most closely watched storylines throughout the fall recruiting season.
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