Central-Phenix City offensive lineman Javion Cohen’s college decision came down to trust.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior flipped his commitment from Auburn to Alabama last month and signed with the Crimson Tide.

“Trust within one staff made the difference,” Cohen told AL.com on Wednesday. “I was told by Auburn that if I went there (offensive line coach J.B.) Grimes would be my coach for four years. He’s out. It was just trust in one staff. I believe in (Alabama head) coach (Nick) Saban and (offensive line) coach (Kyle) Flood and coach (Charles) Kelly more than I did with Auburn.”

Grimes stepped down from the Auburn staff earlier this month. He was replaced this week by former Ole Miss offensive line coach Jack Bicknell Jr., a 33-year coaching veteran.

Cohen’s recruitment was one of the strangest in the 2020 cycle. He committed to South Carolina early, flipped to Auburn and then visited Alabama just before Early Signing Day and eventually signed with the Tide.

Cohen, the 16th-ranked recruit in the state of Alabama’s 2020 class, was honored Wednesday by the Alabama Sports Writers Association as one of three finalists for Class 7A Lineman of the Year. The award went to one of his future teammates, Theodore linebacker and fellow Alabama signee Demouy Kennedy.

Still, Cohen was appreciative of his selection.

“It feels good,” he said. “After doing all that hard work and getting through what I had to go through, it feels good to be rewarded with these types of accolades. Even just to be a finalist is a blessing.”

Cohen had a huge role in leading Central-Phenix City to back-to-back Class 7A state title games. The Red Devils beat Thompson for the 2018 crown to complete an undefeated season and finished as runner-up to the Warriors this past fall. Cohen is also ranked No. 113 in AL.com’s updated Southern 120, a list of the top senior prospects in the 10-state SEC footprint.

Now, he’s ready to turn his attention to the next phase of his life.

“My goal is just to go in and work hard at Alabama,” he said. “Nothing is guaranteed. From Day 1, they said they weren’t promising anything, but if I work hard and do what I have to do, I will get playing time.

“That’s what I’m counting on. I’m going to go work hard, take care of business in my classes, graduate in three and a half years and, if the draft is a possibility, thank God for it. If not, I’ll have a degree to fall back on.”

Cohen said the Alabama coaching staff has talked with him about playing left tackle.

“They told me my feet are very good,” he said. “I see left tackle but wherever they want me to play is what I’ll play. I’ll line up at quarterback if they want me to if Mac Jones is down.”

One thing for sure, there is no doubting Cohen’s allegiances now.

“Roll Tide Roll,” he said.