Derrek Cooper, No. 1 RB in 2026, commits to Texas

Field Level Media|published: 07/20/2025, 9:51pm EDT

Nov 30, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; A detail view of a Texas Longhorns helmet on the sideline during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Longhorns defeated the Aggies 17-7 at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Derrek Cooper, the top-ranked running in the Class of 2026 by ESPN, committed to Texas on Sunday night.

Cooper, a native of Hollywood, Fla., chose the Longhorns over finalists Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State.

A two-way player for Chaminade-Madonna Prep listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Cooper is listed in the athlete category by the 247Sports Composite, where he is a five-star ranked No. 29 overall in the class and No. 2 in Florida.

Cooper joins a star-studded freshman class for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns next year. They already had signed three other ESPN five-stars: quarterback Dia Bell, defensive end Richard Wesley and linebacker Tyler Atkinson.

--Field Level Media