The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Miami offensive lineman Javion Cohen plans on taking full advantage. Cohen recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Cohen also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, transferring to Miami from Alabama, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Cohen better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Javion Cohen: I believe we finished our team meetings for the day. It was right after our last game against Boston College. We did a little film review and had our exit meeting. I remember at the meeting being asked to go see coach Mario Cristobal.
I walked to coach Cristobal’s office. I sat outside for a little bit while he wrapped up another meeting. I walked in and he had the big Reese’s Senior Bowl box sitting on his desk (laughs). I had a pretty good feeling it was coming due to some of the connections I had. That didn’t take away from the moment itself, which felt crazy and special to me.
It’s something I’d been dreaming about. I’m well aware of the prestige that surrounds the Senior Bowl. I know about the opportunities that it presents. Seeing that wonderful blessing sitting on coach Cristobal’s desk, it was crazy. I didn’t even have any words. I just hugged coach Cristobal for like five minutes.
JM: That sounds like an incredible moment. What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Javion Cohen: That was an easy decision. Of course, I was going to accept! I met Jim Nagy at the Symposium in Indianapolis during the combine. I’ve always been familiar with his amazing work. I originally went to Alabama so of course you’re always hearing about the Senior Bowl. So many of my teammates went to the Senior Bowl.
I’ve learned more and more about the Senior Bowl in recent years. You know about the different opportunities it presents you with. It truly is a blessing, a real blessing. Having this opportunity, not a lot of players are fortunate enough. Once I realized how few players receive this offer, it felt even more special to me. I was picked among some amazing senior offensive linemen in the country. The prestige is off the scale. You have to experience it for yourself.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Javion Cohen: I’m just hoping to see them that I am exactly what I tell them I am. I’m a plug-and-play type of talent. I can start right away. I can play in any scheme. I’m one of those guys that you can depend on to get the job done, rain or sunshine. I’m always reading opposing defenses.
No matter the circumstances or situation, I want to show every NFL scout that I’m somebody that can improve their team. I’m trustworthy and dependable. I just want to show them who Javion Cohen is.
There are a lot of conversations that take place around this time of year. A lot of people are going to formulate their opinions. Truthfully, you get the best read on somebody when you get there and talk to them. I’m looking forward to the sit-downs at the Senior Bowl. They’re going to learn about Javion Cohen. All I can ask for is the opportunity.
JM: How would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Javion Cohen: I would say I’m definitely an aggressive player. I’m smart and savvy as well. I can run any scheme, the gap scheme, power, zone scheme, and so on. I can pin and pull. I can execute anything you can pull out of your playbook. I’m a technically advanced smart offensive lineman that can play all five positions.
More than anything, I’m a guy you want around. I’m somebody that you want on your offensive line. I bring good energy to the table. I have a positive attitude about the workday. I’m excited for anything and everything that comes my way. I’m very coachable.
JM: If you had to compare yourself to a current NFL offensive lineman, who would you choose and why?
Javion Cohen: I’ve been asked this question a few times. I typically go back and forth with my answer. I always lean towards Joe Thuney. He’s very savvy in pass protection. He’s gritty in the run game. He’s always in the right position. Joe Thuney is somebody I was compared to coming out of high school.
Of all the guys I watch tape on, I compare myself to Zack Martin. I have the body type to play guard most likely. He’s a technical veteran. He’s a freaking road grader. Zack Martin is obviously somebody who a lot of guards model their game after.
JM: Those are two outstanding players. Now that you’ve had time to think about it, how do you reflect on the decision to transfer to Miami from Alabama?
Javion Cohen: I mean, that’s like asking me if I want one cheeseburger or two cheeseburgers (laughs). I love cheeseburgers. I felt like that transfer was something that propelled me not only in football but also in life.
I learned how to be a man. That’s not just about the coaching staff. Those were real-life situations that I had to learn to navigate. Those things propelled me to the level I’m at now. That decision was a decision that God made for me.
Of course, my support system helped guide me towards that decision as well. I’m thankful for that. That was God and his will.
Connecting with coach Cristobal and his staff for an entire year, picking their brains, I learned what I needed to learn. We meshed right away. The whole experience, it was crazy. That staff is filled with great people. I’m a people person as well. The fit was perfect.
Being around coach Cristobal and his staff boosted everything about me. I’m forever thankful to coach Nick Saban and his staff as well. They gave me a platform and an opportunity. I’m thankful for the decisions that were made.
This past year was awesome. It was the greatest year of my life. Even through the adversity, all of the challenges, through everything I’ve had to go through to reach this point, it was the best year of my life. It’s a decision I would have made over and over again.
If I had the opportunity, I would have gone to Oregon outright. That’s how amazing coach Cristobal and his staff are. I would have gone to Oregon right out of high school. I’m forever thankful for the support and love they showed me.
JM: We love your honesty. Watching you on tape, there are a couple of things that pop to me. How do you utilize length and athleticism to your advantage on a snap-by-snap basis?
Javion Cohen: I never actually think about length and athleticism before a rep. Never. Everybody is gifted. I’ve seen undersized defensive linemen that are scrappy off the ball. The measurements are what they are. Obviously, you can’t coach or teach size. I’m thankful to be blessed in that department.
When I go out there, I’m thinking about our scheme and where we’re trying to get the ball. I’m thinking about what I can do to help my 10 teammates. I want to make everyone’s job easier. When I walk out there, that’s what I think about. I need to execute this play.
JM: What’s on Javion Cohen’s pre-game playlist?
Javion Cohen: It ranges quite a bit. My wife is very musical. I pulled some things from her playlist. This year, it went from hip-hop to R&B. I listen to some classical music as well. I listen to straight instrumentals sometimes. I love soul music and gospel music. I have a little bit of everything. It’s whatever I’m feeling that day.
I listen to classical music with my daughter as well. My wife has been a huge influence. Hearing calming music throughout the day allows you to feel zen. I love being in a state of calm. I love being focused. Second to all that is NBA Youngboy (laughs).
JM: We love that. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Javion Cohen?
Javion Cohen: I’m excited to speak with all 32 teams and to have genuine conversations. I’m gonna go out there and put my best foot forward. I’m going to use my training to the best of my ability. I want to display my talents.
I’m gonna have fun and enjoy the opportunity I’ve been so fortunately blessed with. I’m going to continue making a name for myself throughout this process.
