5-Star Texas Commit Shares Six-Word Message Following Miami's Upset Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 3:25 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns made a huge recruiting splash on July 15, flipping class of 2026 defensive lineman James Johnson from the Georgia Bulldogs.

He's been one of the biggest additions for head coach Steve Sarkisian, boasting a 2026 recruiting class with 21 commitments, ranking No. 2 in the SEC and No. 5 in the nation.

However, it's clear Johnson is keeping his options open, as he was one of the many confirmed recruit attendees in town to watch the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes and the No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting irish face off.

The Hurricanes entered the game as 2.5-point underdogs, according to ESPN BET, but came out on top, winning 27-24.

The impressive performance caught the attention of Johnson, who said, "This win for Miami was special," according to Rivals' Steve Wiltfong.

That's exciting to hear for the Hurricanes, as Rivals places him as a five-star recruit, the No. 1 defensive lineman, the No. 2 player in Florida and the No. 10 player in the nation.

Last season for North Fort Myers, Johnson was impressive, racking up 60 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, five sacks, five hurries and two fumble recoveries in nine games.

Before the visit, Johnson told Wiltfong, “Miami is still on my mind heavy. I have been feeling the love from the coaches and the vibe from the program is one of the best."

Miami Is Very Close to Home for Johnson

For his senior season, Johnson will be playing for Miami Northwestern, which is roughly 12 miles and a 25-minute drive from the Hurricanes' campus in Coral Gables.

Comparing that to the Longhorns' campus in Austin, Texas, his high school is nearly 1,350 miles and over 19 hours away by car.

Miami has also already tapped into other talent at Miami Northwestern, too, landing a commitment from Johnson's teammate and four-star EDGE Jordan Campbell.

A potential flip would be huge for the Hurricanes, adding to an already stellar 2026 class with 22 commitments, ranking No. 1 in the ACC and No. 12 in the nation.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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