Derrek Cooper, the No. 1-ranked running back in the 2026 recruiting class, committed to Texas on Sunday night. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound standout from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Hollywood, Florida, chose the Longhorns over Georgia, Ohio State, Miami, and Florida State.
Texas lands top-ranked RB in elite 2026 class
Cooper becomes the fourth five-star pledge in a 2026 Texas class that’s building into one of the nation’s most talent-rich groups. He’s ranked seventh overall in the ESPN 300.
His commitment follows Texas landing top linebacker Tyler Atkinson and flipping four-star defensive lineman James Johnson from Georgia. Cooper joins fellow five-stars Dia Bell and Richard Wesley, along with top-100 players John Turntine III and Samari Matthews.
The Longhorns coaching staff made a strong impression on Cooper and his family. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and running backs coach Chad Scott outlined plans to use Cooper in multiple ways.
“They don’t have a guy like Derrek right now. They think he can line up in the backfield, catch passes, move around. They want to unlock everything he can do.”
Cooper’s father said the staff compared his potential role to how Texas once utilized Bijan Robinson.
Cooper visited Austin unofficially in April but didn’t take an official visit before announcing his decision. As a junior last fall, he rushed for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns on 124 carries.
He also contributed on defense with 46 tackles and four sacks.
Cooper’s versatility should mesh well with Sarkisian’s offensive system. His pass-catching ability and athleticism could earn him early playing time despite Texas having depth at running back.
He’s considered the second-best athlete in Florida’s 2026 class, behind only quarterback Dia Bell, who’s also committed to the Longhorns. Cooper’s high school credentials include a state championship and all-state honors.
The commitment strengthens Texas’s position in what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive 2026 recruiting cycle.
