The running back room in Austin, Texas received a tremendous boost to its depth on Sunday with the commitment of 5-star athlete Derrek Cooper. Cooper, a Florida native, chose the Longhorns over Georgia, Ohio State, Miami and Florida State.
Cooper is ranked as the second-best player in the state of Florida, only behind Texas quarterback commit Dia Bell. He is also ranked the second-best athlete in the Sunshine State and the 29th best player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite Recruiting Rankings.
The 6-1, 205 lb. Chaminade-Madonna high school product helped his team win a Division 1-A State Championship last season. He unofficially visited Texas on April 26th.
Here is the scouting report on Cooper, via 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins:
A jack-of-all-trades that some schools view as a running back while others think the ceiling might be higher as a back-seven defender. Owns a favorable athletic profile for a mid-skill with bright green speed and explosion scores. As a ball carrier, runs with plenty of tempo and energy as he hits the hole with urgency. Always seems to be spiraling forward with his 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame and will use his core power to bounce off tacklers in tight quarters. Effective on swing/screen passes and has the hands to emerge as more than just a check-down option for a passing attack. On defense, displays advanced IQ as he’s quick to read and react. Charges downhill with authority and has proven to be a solid open-field tackler. Can get home on the blitz and is also rather competent in both man and zone coverage after playing primarily safety early on in prep career. Should be viewed as one of the more unique evaluations in the class given the position ambiguity as he could settle in as a bell cow on offense or thrive as a speed-and-space linebacker. Will need a plan and a vision at the next level, but has stamped himself as one of the top overall prospects in the Sunshine State at this stage after impacting games in a variety of different ways.
Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
Last season, Cooper rushed for 905 yards on 124 carries for the Lions. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and 60.3 yards per game, and finished the season with a total of 13 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 9 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.
Cooper becomes the 21st commit and the first running back pledge in the Longhorns’ 2026 recruiting class.
