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FSU is 'No. 1' in recruitment of elite '26 Chaminade athlete Derrek Cooper

by:Greg Barry•04/25/24
Derrek Cooper
(Photo courtesy Izubee Charles)

Florida State hosted elite Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna athlete Derrek Cooper during the Seminoles’ Spring Showcase this past weekend, and the visit could not have gone much better.

According to On3, Cooper is the No. 25 prospect overall in the 2026 class and the third-ranked safety.

When he arrived on campus, Cooper was impressed that Florida State coach Mike Norvell and several of his assistants came out to greet him before he even entered the Moore Athletics Center.

“Aye man, that was amazing,” the four-star athlete said. “I didn’t expect that. It was just … it’s a lot.”

During his sophomore season last fall, Cooper played both ways on Chaminade’s state championship team. He recorded four interceptions on defense, according to MaxPreps, and he also played on offense.

When it comes to where he will line up in college, Cooper said Florida State’s coaches like him in multiple spots.

“They like me at running back, they like me at safety …,” he said. “I’m just gonna pick where I want to play … they like my athletic ability, being able to read the ball, read the film … slow down the game. They watch my film a lot and say they love my film.”

While it’s still early in the recruitment for the elite 2026 prospect, Cooper made it clear that Florida State is, “at the top right now.”

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“Number one,” he said of the Seminoles. “I always wanted to go to FSU, build a relationship with the coaching staff. … It’s just amazing.”

Cooper said he hopes to make it back to Tallahassee in the fall.

“Hopefully come back during a regular-season game,” he said. “This is my last visit until summer.”

If Florida State landed Cooper, he would be the highest-rated addition to a class that already features two top-100 prospects — Vero Beach athlete Efrem White and Tampa athlete Darryon Williams.

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