Nerd's Notes: Meet new Auburn RB commit Myson Johnson-Cook

Alex Golesh and Co. beat out Miami for one of the best backs in the nation. Here's a first look at the new jewel of the Tigers' growing 2027 class.

From Justin: Our pal AUNerd is back at The Observer, sharing some of his thoughts on a new Auburn football commitment that he’s really high on: high 4-star running back Myson Johnson-Cook. Here’s an early look at MJC and what he could mean for the first full recruiting cycle under the new regime.

(Myson Johnson-Cook/Instagram)

I have no idea if Alex Golesh can bring Auburn football back to relevance both in the SEC and nationally. He’s only been on the Plains for four months and is still four more months away from coaching his first game for the Tigers.

But one thing has become clear during his short tenure: He’s going to keep Auburn’s running back room stocked with top-tier talent.

We got a taste of it during the portal cycle. Auburn not only retained leading rusher Jeremiah Cobb, but it also signed Baylor star running back Bryson Washington, Troy leading rusher Tae Meadows and USF’s breakout freshman Nykhai Davenport. The Tigers also brought Omar Mabson II and Alvin Henderson back to the room, too.

This weekend came the clearest signal yet of Golesh’s focus on loading up in the backfield.

On Saturday, Auburn beat out defending national runner-up Miami for top-50 running back Myson Johnson-Cook — the first big high school recruiting win in the Golesh Era on the Plains.

Recruitment

Johnson-Cook’s offer list reads like you’d expect for a top-50 back. He took spring visits to Kentucky, Missouri and Ole Miss, but this ultimately shaped up as a two-team race between Auburn and Miami.

Miami was widely viewed as the favorite. Fresh off a national title appearance and powered by an offense that featured a bigger back in Mark Fletcher, the Hurricanes — paired with their well-documented NIL resources — had many expecting the East St. Louis, Illinois native to land in South Beach.

But a February visit to Auburn shifted the momentum.

Johnson-Cook returned to the Plains multiple times this spring and is already scheduled for an official visit this summer. The nation’s consensus No. 4 running back in the 2027 class built a strong connection with Golesh and his staff, while also seeing a clear proof of concept from their work down in Tampa.

Just as importantly, Auburn showed it could be competitive on the NIL front.

Those relationships, an opportunity to make an impact early and the right level of investment proved to be enough for the Tigers to win a major recruiting battle over Mario Cristobal and the Canes.

Scouting Report