After a wild week of recruiting momentum, the Texas Longhorns are vying for yet another elite prospect. No. 1 linebacker Tyler Atkinson and No. 1 defensive lineman James Johnson both chose Texas this week. Now, Steve Sarkisian is trending for one of the top running backs in the country.
Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Fla.) four-star Derrek Cooper received two predictions this week to join Texas' 2026 class. Recruiting experts Justin Wells and Eric Nahlin have entered a Rivals' RPM pick for Cooper to pick the Longhorns over the likes of Ohio State, Miami, Georgia, and Florida State.
Sarkisian has zeroed in on Cooper after Texas missed out on Ezavier Crowell and KJ Edwards. Now, the staff has made its move and are hoping to land the dynamic 6-foot-1, 210 pound prospect.
— Derrek Cooper (@DerrekCooper80) July 10, 2025
I do believe Texas will gain the commitment but there will likely be work to do to fend off both Georgia and Miami. Georgia is the biggest concern right now and they may feel extra motivation after losing Atkinson (and Johnson). Miami could be the greater concern later in the fall. I sense Miami isn’t flush with cash after landing offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell.
I will caution Texas fans that a recruitment like this can change in a hurry but right now I like the level of motivation I’m hearing about. - Eric Nahlin, Inside Texas
Cooper ran for nearly 1,000 yards as a junior while also making close to 50 tackles on defense. He has a unique skill set but appears set to play on the offensive side of the football in college.
It only took one touch for 5⭐️ Derrek Cooper to score! pic.twitter.com/tM9PlKSm3E
— Rivals High School (@Rivals_HS) September 19, 2024
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
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