As the 2027 recruiting cycle starts to heat up, one name to keep an eye on is Josh Johnson - a 6-foot-5 defensive lineman out of Key West, Florida - who’s starting to zero in on his college decision. With six schools still in the mix, Miami is firmly in the hunt.
Johnson recently trimmed his list to six finalists: Miami, Florida, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, Iowa, and Wisconsin. He made an official visit to Coral Gables in January, capping the trip with a telling social media post: “Great time at Miami today!!!!” That kind of energy coming off a visit is always worth noting.
The Hurricanes, led by head coach Mario Cristobal and defensive line coach Frank Tucker on the recruiting front, have clearly made a strong impression. Cristobal’s staff has been aggressive in building relationships with in-state talent, and Johnson fits the mold of the kind of player Miami wants anchoring its defensive front - big frame, athletic upside, and a high ceiling for development.
Rated as a three-star prospect across all four major recruiting services, Johnson checks in as a top-80 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 735 overall player in the 2027 class, per the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Those numbers don’t always tell the full story, but they do give a sense of where he stands among his peers - and more importantly, where he could go with the right coaching and development.
At 6-foot-5, Johnson brings the kind of length and frame that defensive line coaches love to work with. He’s the type of player who can grow into multiple roles along the front - whether that’s as a run-stopper on the interior or a disruptor coming off the edge in certain packages. That versatility makes him an intriguing fit for Miami’s evolving defensive scheme.
While there’s still a long way to go in his recruitment, Miami has positioned itself well. The Hurricanes have made it clear they want to build from the trenches, and Johnson would be a strong addition to the room - not just as a body, but as a player with the tools to develop into a difference-maker down the line.
With spring visits and camps on the horizon, expect Johnson’s recruitment to stay active. But for now, Miami is right where it wants to be: in the mix, in-state, and in a good spot to land a player who could help shape the future of their defensive line.