Georgia's Confidence Surging on Coveted RB as College Football News Drops This Week

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 14, 2025 11:45 PM ET

One of the top running backs of the 2026 recruiting class re-opened his recruitment after verbally committing to the Georgia Bulldogs.

But On3's Chad Simmons reported Kirby Smart's program is still feeling good about landing running back Derrek Cooper.

"There has been a level of confidence in Athens that they can get Derrek Cooper in this class. Miami is stiff competition," Simmons wrote. "The four-star running back has been committed to Georgia before though. We know there is high interest on both sides.

"The mother is a key figure in this recruitment and she likes the staff in Athens. Jared Curtis will be in town and he will make his pitch to Cooper, the playmaker from south Florida."

Simmons concluded that Georgia is already a top school for Cooper. But with the running back visiting Athens, Georgia this weekend, Simmons wondered if the Bulldogs could emerge the favorite by Monday.

On3 awarded Cooper a four-star rating. The 247Sports composite rankings, though, have Cooper as a five-star recruit.

The composite rankings also have Cooper as the No. 30 overall prospect in the 2026 class.

Cooper posted a picture on X ahead of his weekend visit with the Bulldogs.

Next stop… Athens!!

Go dawgs pic.twitter.com/n5bEBqY0YA
— Derrek Cooper (@DerrekCooper80) June 12, 2025

Cooper is listed as a running back, but on the 247Sports positional rankings, Cooper is included on the list of athletes.

On that list, the 247Sports Composite rankings rated Cooper the No. 2 athlete. The five-star recruit is also the No. 2 Florida prospect in the 2026 class.

Cooper will play his senior year of high school at Chaminade-Madonna in Hollywood, Florida.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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