JUCO OL Cooper Johnson announces signing with Ole Miss Football

Iowa Western offensive lineman Cooper Johnson has committed and signed with Ole Miss, he announced on Wednesday. On Saturday, the day the Rebels scrimmaged one final time in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium before the season, Johnson was already on campus.

“I want to come out and say that I have nothing but extreme gratitude for everything that @ReiverFootball has done for me,” he said in his tweet. “It has been one extreme roller coaster to be where I am not only as a football player but as a person. With that being said I am now apart of @OleMissFB.”

Offensive line coach John Garrison, who played at Nebraska and knows Lincoln, Neb. area well, added the 6-6, 320-pounder to the roster.

Last year, Johnson was a starter for Iowa Western C.C. and was a preseason Second Team All-American heading into this season. For the Rebels, the Lincoln Southeast (Neb.) product adds another depth piece for the 2025 season and get a chance to develop.

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said last week he doesn’t think the Rebels are in as good of shape health wise as years past. Entering the season, the team was able to squeeze in another addition just as offensive line injuries piled up.

“I think we’ve had a number of issues, especially with the offensive line and tight ends,” Kiffin said. “We’re working to get better for this opener and again, I’m not just saying that, this is a challenging team that has good players and really good coaches.”

Ole Miss opens the regular season Saturday night in Oxford against Georgia State at 6:45 p.m. CT on SEC Network.