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Elite RB Derrek Cooper names top five schools, sets new commitment date

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by:Keegan Pope•07/10/25•

bykeeganpope

Derrek Cooper 8 copy 1.jpg
Derrek Cooper (Photo by Chad Simmons/On3)

Derrek Cooper, one of the nation’s top running backs in the 2026 class, is down to five schools, he announced on Thursday.

Among the remaining contenders are Ohio State, Florida State, Miami, Georgia and Texas. Cooper was previously set to announce his commitment in July 12, but opted to postpone that decision. He’ll now announce on July 20.

Cooper took six official visits during May and June — making stops with the Buckeyes, Hurricanes, Seminoles and Bulldogs, as well as Alabama and Auburn. The Longhorns have been a team to watch in his recruitment in recent weeks though, despite not receiving an OV.

After losing out on targets KJ Edwards, Javian Osborne, Tradarian Ball, and Ezavier Crowell, the Longhorns are pushing hard to land the Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.) star.

Heading into the previous decision date, Cooper was considered a strong lean to Miami.

“I had a great visit to Miami. They have done a great job recruiting me and showing me how they want to use me,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “Coach Merritt is a great coach… I like Coach Dawson a lot too… He wants to show that I am a three-down back and I like the people at Miami.”

But with the latest buzz around the Longhorns growing — and his decision to move his decision back more than a week — what seemed like a sure thing might be anything but that.

Cooper is the country’s No. 33 overall prospect, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the nation’s No. 3 running back and No. 3 recruit in the state of Florida.

As a running back last fall for the Lions, he toted the rock 124 times for 905 yards (9.3 YPC) and 13 TDs. He also showed some skills in the receiving game, with nine catches for 156 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he was all over the field with 46 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.