Penn State adds elite running back prospect Derrek Cooper to official visit schedule
Penn State will host Chaminade-Madonna running back Derrek Cooper for an official visit.
A four-star prospect from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Cooper confirmed on social media Saturday morning that he’s locked in a midweek official visit with the Nittany Lions for June 17-19. The 6-foot, 210-pound running back was offered by Penn State in April 2024 and has never visited before.
Ranked No. 2 overall nationally at the position according to On3’s Industry Rankings, Cooper has earned more than two dozen scholarship offers. He announced in January that the Nittany Lions were among his top 10 schools. Since then, he’s set official visits with six different programs, beginning with Auburn the weekend of May 16-18. He’ll then go to Miami (May 30-June 1), Alabama (June 6-8), Georgia (June 13-15) and Ohio State (June 20-22).
Following Ja’Juan Seider’s departure to Notre Dame, it was unclear if the Nittany Lions were still in the mix with Cooper. Seider had a major role in Penn State earning commitments from multiple players at Chaminade over the years. He also did an in-home visit with Cooper and his family back in January.
Link: CB Brandon Arrington talks Penn State after locking in visit to Happy Valley
“When I commit, it will be about how I will be used, how the relationships are between my family and the coaches are and the stability of the coaching staff,” Cooper told On3 earlier this year. “The fit into the scheme will be important to me too. I want the chance to get on the field and show my ability as quickly as I can.”
Top 10
- 1New
Jalen Milroe
Mysterious hand growth
- 2Hot
Cooper Flagg
Coach K doesn't rule out return to Duke
- 3
1-seeds on the line
Teams still in the running
- 4
Hugh Freeze
Diagnosed with cancer
- 5Trending
Hard Knocks
NFL show coming to college
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
Of course, Penn State already holds one commitment at the position from Harrisburg running back Messiah Mickens. However, following Seider’s departure, Mickens is expected to take official visits elsewhere this summer. Head coach James Franklin and his staff will host him first the weekend of May 30 to June 1. As of now, Tampa, Fla., native Javari Barnett is the only other running back who has publicly confirmed an official visit with Penn State. That visit will take place June 6-8.
The Nittany Lions have now locked in official visits with 55 prospects in the Class of 2026, and Cooper is among the highest-ranked players to do so. In addition to being the second-ranked running back, he’s also ranked No. 29 nationally and third overall in Florida.
Earlier this week, five-star cornerback Brandon Arrington confirmed that he’ll also take an official visit to Penn State. The California native is expected to visit May 2-4.
