Nation's No. 2 RB for 2026 Commits to SEC Powerhouse
The Texas Longhorns landed a significant member to its 2026 recruiting class on Sunday.
Five-star running back/athlete Derrek Cooper announced his commitment to Texas via social media. The Chaminade-Madonna product (Hollywood, FL) chose the Longhorns over Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, and Florida State.
Cooper is ranked the No. 2 athlete in the nation and No. 2 overall prospect in Florida for the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. He becomes the fifth-highest ranked player in Texas' class and the No. 2 offensive recruit behind only five-star quarterback Dia Bell.
The Longhorns now hold verbal commitments from 21 players for the 2026 cycle. Cooper's addition bumped Texas' class to No. 5 overall in the country per 247Sports.
Aside from Bell, the group is headlined by several key defensive recruits in five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, five-star cornerback/athlete Jermaine Bishop, four-star edge Richard Wesley, and four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian landed the No. 1 overall recruiting class in 2025 and is on pace to land a top-five class for this cycle. The last time Texas did not land a top-five class was in 2021, the year Sarkisian was hired.
Player development under Sarkisian's staff is at an all-time high and seems to be a primary reason recruits are flocking to Austin.This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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