A priority running back recruit for the Canes, Myson Johnson-Cook made his second trip in a month’s span down to Miami on another unofficial visit. Part of UM's two biggest recruiting days in “305 Day” and “Spring Splash,” there’s clear interest from both parties. A 6-foot-2, 230-pound tailback with verified 4.4 speed, Johnson-Cook sounds eerily similar to what coach Fabian Upshaw described as his “ideal” running back earlier this week. Miami appears to be leading this recruitment with its physical style of play and offensive line pedigree speaking volumes to Johnson-Cook — here’s what the top five running back in the class had to say to me following his visit.
On his overall visit:
“It’s great to be back. I was here for ‘305 Day’, but I wasn’t able to see them practice because it was before spring ball so being able to watch them practice now was a big thing for me. They’re competitive and physical, which I like.”
On what makes Miami stand out in his recruitment process:
“It’s definitely an amazing place. It’s Miami, they’ve got a great football team that could be back in the national championship next year.”
“Since he got hired [Coach Upshaw] has made it clear I’m a priority. Even with the previous running backs coach leaving, he stayed consistent. He texts me every day, tries to get me on campus whenever possible, and makes it feel like home.”
“They develop a lot of players who go to the NFL, this school is very high on my list.”
On Miami’s style of running the football:
“Mark Fletcher, he’s about the same size as me, so I like seeing how they utilize him.”
“A lot of schools don’t really prefer big running backs, so seeing them be physical at the line of scrimmage stood out.”
“They have a good offensive line, and for a running back, that’s a great thing. Without a physical O-line, it’s hard to be a good running back. I love seeing how physical Miami’s offense is, and I know Coach Cristobal will keep recruiting great offensive linemen. If I play here, I know I’ll have a strong O-line around me.”
On conversations with RB Mark Fletcher Jr.:
“They’ve been good. We spent some time together at Coach Cristobal’s house, and I asked him about the pros and cons of the program. I wanted insight from the inside, not just what I see from the outside. It was a really good conversation—we’re pretty close.”
On his relationship with coach Cristobal:
“He’s very down to earth — one of the coolest head coaches I’ve met. I can tell he’s genuine, it’s not a facade with him — he’s real with everybody, and I really respect that.”
On other schools involved in his recruitment:
“Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, Alabama and Miami of course.”
“Miami [OV] is May 29th, then I have Auburn June 5th, Ole Miss June 19th.”
On where Miami stacks up in his recruitment:
“It’s definitely one of the top schools for me. This is really my first year coming up here, so I’m still getting a feel for everything. I’ve been here twice in the past six weeks, which is a lot for me since I don’t usually visit schools that often in a short time.”
On his recruiting timeline:
“There’s always going to be a school you really like, but you still have to weigh the pros and cons with the others. I probably need a little more time.”
His reaction to fellow Illinois product Israel Abrams committing to Miami:
“It means a lot, not a lot of players from Illinois get recruited by top schools, so seeing someone I’ve known for a while commit to a school I’m considering means a lot.”
“If I end up here, I know I’ll be playing alongside someone from Illinois like me.”
On his overall visit:
“It’s great to be back. I was here for ‘305 Day’, but I wasn’t able to see them practice because it was before spring ball so being able to watch them practice now was a big thing for me. They’re competitive and physical, which I like.”
On what makes Miami stand out in his recruitment process:
“It’s definitely an amazing place. It’s Miami, they’ve got a great football team that could be back in the national championship next year.”
“Since he got hired [Coach Upshaw] has made it clear I’m a priority. Even with the previous running backs coach leaving, he stayed consistent. He texts me every day, tries to get me on campus whenever possible, and makes it feel like home.”
“They develop a lot of players who go to the NFL, this school is very high on my list.”
On Miami’s style of running the football:
“Mark Fletcher, he’s about the same size as me, so I like seeing how they utilize him.”
“A lot of schools don’t really prefer big running backs, so seeing them be physical at the line of scrimmage stood out.”
“They have a good offensive line, and for a running back, that’s a great thing. Without a physical O-line, it’s hard to be a good running back. I love seeing how physical Miami’s offense is, and I know Coach Cristobal will keep recruiting great offensive linemen. If I play here, I know I’ll have a strong O-line around me.”
On conversations with RB Mark Fletcher Jr.:
“They’ve been good. We spent some time together at Coach Cristobal’s house, and I asked him about the pros and cons of the program. I wanted insight from the inside, not just what I see from the outside. It was a really good conversation—we’re pretty close.”
On his relationship with coach Cristobal:
“He’s very down to earth — one of the coolest head coaches I’ve met. I can tell he’s genuine, it’s not a facade with him — he’s real with everybody, and I really respect that.”
On other schools involved in his recruitment:
“Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, Alabama and Miami of course.”
“Miami [OV] is May 29th, then I have Auburn June 5th, Ole Miss June 19th.”
On where Miami stacks up in his recruitment:
“It’s definitely one of the top schools for me. This is really my first year coming up here, so I’m still getting a feel for everything. I’ve been here twice in the past six weeks, which is a lot for me since I don’t usually visit schools that often in a short time.”
On his recruiting timeline:
“There’s always going to be a school you really like, but you still have to weigh the pros and cons with the others. I probably need a little more time.”
His reaction to fellow Illinois product Israel Abrams committing to Miami:
“It means a lot, not a lot of players from Illinois get recruited by top schools, so seeing someone I’ve known for a while commit to a school I’m considering means a lot.”
“If I end up here, I know I’ll be playing alongside someone from Illinois like me.”
