Ohio State in Hot Pursuit of Coveted Recruit Amid Battle With Miami, Georgia

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 22, 2025 11:45 AM ET

The recruitment of one 2026 five-star running back is still very much in the air. But one thing is clear -- the Ohio State Buckeyes are in the race.

On3's Alex Gleitman reported Friday that 2026 No. 2 running back Derrek Cooper is visiting Columbus, Ohio this weekend. The Buckeyes are pushing to land Cooper over the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes.

"Cooper is interesting—when you talk to some, they swear he’s going to pick Miami when it’s time to decide," Gleitman wrote. "When you talk to others, they are adamant that he will leave 'home' and end up at either UGA or OSU when push comes to shove.

"This weekend serves as a chance for Ohio State to ensure they’re the pick if he does leave the Sunshine State."

Cooper would be a significant prospect for the Buckeyes to poach from the state of Florida. The running back is the No. 2 Florida recruit according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

In addition to being the No. 2 running back as well, Cooper is also the No. 30 overall recruit for 2026.

Based on the composite rankings, Cooper is a five-star prospect. Other rankings such as On3 have him as a four-star player.

5⭐️ RB Derrek Cooper is a freight train‼️@Nadeboyz @shotsbymiabella @DerrekCooper80 pic.twitter.com/q9r6CbEE6R
— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) May 12, 2025

Cooper also took official visits to the Florida State Seminoles, Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. But those three schools appear to have fallen behind Ohio State, Georgia and Miami in his recruitment.

247Sports has Ohio State's 2026 recruiting class ranked fourth overall. The lone running back committed in the Buckeyes' class, though, is three-star Favour Akih.

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

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