5-star running back Derrek Cooper includes 2 SEC programs among finalists
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Derrek Cooper is one of the top recruits in the 2026 recruiting cycle. And, in just a matter of days, he is set to make his college decision.
Via a post on X, Cooper on Thursday unveiled his 5 finalists. Two of them are in the SEC: Georgia and Texas, who will look to beat out Florida State, Miami, and Ohio State to secure his services. He’ll announce his commitment on July 20 at 7 p.m.
Cooper’s list of offers includes 32 teams, a number of them among the top in the country. May and the entirety of June were spent on official visits: first to Auburn (May 16), then Miami (May 30), Alabama (June 6), Georgia (June 13), Florida State (June 15), and Ohio State (June 20). Though Alabama was on the list, it didn’t make the final cut, while Texas didn’t receive a visit but did make his top 5.
The No. 20 player in the country, Cooper is considered an athlete in 247Sports’ recruiting database, but will be suiting up as a running back in college. As a junior, he took 124 carries for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns while making 9 catches for 156 yards and a score.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
