Key West lineman Josh Johnson commits to the Miami Hurricanes, bolstering their defensive front and embracing a chance to develop under Hall of Famer Jason Taylor.
As spring training officially opens, it was reported on Tuesday that the Miami Hurricanes secured a commitment from Josh Johnson. He’s a three-star defensive lineman who currently attends Key West High School, a public institution located in Monroe County, Florida. As a junior, he recorded snaps on both sides of the field.
Johnson received interest and offers from numerous programs, including the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Louisville Cardinals, Boston College Eagles, Northwestern Wildcats, and Tulane Green Wave, plus others.
The Hurricanes were named finalists, along with the Florida Gators. He made multiple unofficial visits with both programs and scheduled official ones during the summer.
The three-star recruit ultimately decided to stay as close to home as possible. Johnson will join a recruiting group that features a couple of elite wide receivers in Nick Lennear and Ah’Mari Stevens.
The defensive lineman is listed at 6-5, 270 pounds, and ranked 829th nationally, 87th among his position, and 86th in the state of Florida for the class of 2027, according to Rivals Industry Rankings.
Coming off a National Championship, the Hurricanes have emerged as a desirable destination for top-market high school recruits.
After committing, Johnson will have the opportunity to develop under defensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. He played a significant role in the growth of edge rushers Akheem Mesidor and All-American Rueben Bain Jr. Outside of the two stars, the Hurricanes received contributions from Justin Scott, Armondo Blount, and Ahmad Moten Sr., all of whom are returning for next season.
The Hurricanes’ recruiting class of 2027 is all in-house Florida talent thus far, including four-star tight end Demarcus Deroche, four-star safety Jaylyn Jones, and three-star offensive tackle Zaquan Linton. It shows how significant the image of the program has turned around.
After missing out on key prospects in the past, such as Jeremiah Smith, coach Mario Cristobal managed to secure others who believed in his vision.
As the Hurricanes prepare for next season, the revamped roster will face the challenge of taking the next step. The program added All-ACC talent in quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate through the transfer portal, along with incoming five-star freshman offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell.
Johnson has more room to grow as a player, but his growth and development as a player will contribute to raising the standard and winning culture already established within the program.
The Hurricanes’ priority will be to protect the commitment from flipping.
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