Texas Longhorns Land 2026’s Top Running Back Derrek Cooper as Steve Sarkisian Builds Nation’s Most Explosive Future Offense in Austin
Texas continued its recruiting tear Sunday by securing the commitment of Derrek Cooper, the top-ranked running back in the 2026 class and one of the most coveted prospects in all of high school football. Hailing from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, Cooper’s pledge to the Longhorns marks yet another monumental recruiting victory for Steve Sarkisian and his staff. With his decision, Cooper adds fuel to a recruiting class already brimming with blue-chip talent and solidifies Texas’ standing as one of the premier destinations for elite offensive players heading into the SEC’s new era.
Cooper is not just any five-star recruit. At 6-foot-0, 210 pounds, he is a complete back—combining power, agility, breakaway speed, vision, and pass-catching ability in a way that few players in recent memory have. He is widely seen as a game-changer, capable of becoming the focal point of an offense from the moment he arrives on campus. His game-breaking potential has drawn comparisons to NFL stars like Saquon Barkley, Nick Chubb, and Bijan Robinson—the last of whom carved his name into Texas lore before heading to the NFL as a top-ten draft pick.
What makes Cooper’s commitment particularly significant isn’t just his talent—it’s the message it sends. Texas went into SEC country and pulled the top running back out of Louisiana, a state historically dominated by LSU and often eyed by Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Winning that recruiting battle reflects how far Sarkisian has elevated the Texas brand. The Longhorns aren’t just winning games—they’re winning hearts and minds on the recruiting trail, and they’re doing it against the sport’s most powerful programs.
The recruitment of Cooper wasn’t a simple one. He held over 30 scholarship offers, including from perennial powers like Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan. All had legitimate claims. Some offered proximity. Others offered championship history. A few pitched immediate playing time. But it was Texas that made the most compelling case. Sarkisian’s offense, the Longhorns’ NFL development track record, the rise of a powerful NIL infrastructure in Austin, and the family culture within the program were all central to Cooper’s decision.
Cooper’s commitment also comes at a time when Texas is fully transitioning into its SEC identity. The Longhorns are no longer preparing to join the toughest conference in college football—they’re in it. That shift has changed everything: recruiting standards, physical expectations, and overall competitiveness. For elite players like Cooper, the SEC is where reputations are made. And Texas is proving it can not only compete at that level but thrive in it.
From a football perspective, Cooper’s skill set fits perfectly into Sarkisian’s offensive blueprint. The Texas head coach has always favored balance—an offense capable of stretching the field vertically while pounding the ball between the tackles. Cooper gives him that flexibility. He’s powerful enough to run through defenders on third and short but shifty enough to break outside and take a swing pass 50 yards. In a system that already emphasizes tempo, motion, and creativity, Cooper will have the chance to touch the ball in multiple ways and showcase his full arsenal of abilities.
Moreover, Cooper isn’t coming into a situation where he’ll be overwhelmed. Thanks to years of elite recruiting, Texas has a developing offensive line that is among the deepest and most talented in the nation. Led by All-American tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and supported by players like DJ Campbell and Payton Kirkland, the Longhorns’ front five will provide Cooper with the running lanes needed to thrive early in his career. The path is clear for him to step in as a freshman and contribute immediately—possibly even as the starting back depending on roster movement.
Another key element of Cooper’s commitment is how it could influence the rest of Texas’ 2026 class. In modern recruiting, top players don’t just commit quietly—they recruit their peers. Cooper’s national profile and relationships with other five-star prospects mean his decision could trigger a domino effect. Already, players like wide receiver Kaliq Lockett, quarterback Dia Bell, and offensive lineman Jaden O’Neal have expressed interest in teaming up with Cooper in Austin. With him onboard, Texas’ 2026 class could be on track to finish No. 1 in the nation.
What’s even more impressive is that Texas didn’t just sell Cooper on the future—they showed him the present. Last season’s Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff semifinal appearance proved that the Longhorns aren’t just recruiting hype anymore. They’re a team built to win now. That proof of concept, combined with a coaching staff that includes NFL veterans and elite recruiters like Tashard Choice, gave Texas a recruiting edge that others couldn’t match. Choice, in particular, played a major role in Cooper’s recruitment. His development of backs like Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson added credibility to the pitch.
Off the field, Cooper is known as a leader—a high-character, humble, hard-working athlete who holds himself to a high standard. Coaches at Captain Shreve rave about his maturity, dedication to the weight room, and relentless drive to improve. He’s also academically focused, which made Texas’ academic resources another strong point in the Longhorns’ favor. In short, he’s not just a great player—he’s the kind of player programs are built around.
As Cooper returns to Shreveport to finish out his high school career, expectations will be higher than ever. Already a two-time all-state performer, he will enter his senior season as a marked man—every defense will key on him, and every Friday night will be a stage. But if his past performance is any indication, Cooper will rise to the moment. He’s never shied away from the spotlight, and he embraces the pressure that comes with being the best.
For Texas fans, Cooper’s commitment is the latest evidence that Sarkisian has this program on a championship trajectory. The Longhorns aren’t just collecting talent—they’re building continuity, culture, and chemistry. They’re recruiting players who want to be at Texas, who understand the responsibility of wearing the burnt orange, and who are hungry to restore the Longhorns to national prominence.
It also shows that Texas isn’t settling for regional relevance—they’re going national. They’re recruiting the best players in California, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. They’re competing against the Alabamas and Ohio States of the world and winning. And with Cooper in the fold, the Longhorns just added a crown jewel to their 2026 foundation.
Cooper’s commitment may seem like just one name on a long list of elite prospects joining the Longhorns, but it represents something bigger. It shows that Texas is now a top-tier destination again. That for the best players in the country—no matter where they’re from—Austin is not only in the conversation, it’s often the final answer.
The 2026 class is far from over, and the road to National Signing Day will have its share of twists and turns. But with Derrek Cooper on board, Texas has secured more than just a five-star talent—they’ve secured a leader, a playmaker, and potentially the face of the future Longhorn offense.
In a college football world increasingly defined by NIL deals, transfer portal movement, and national recruiting footprints, Texas just pulled off the kind of recruiting win that cuts through all the noise. They landed the best back in the country. They did it against elite competition. And they did it the right way—by offering opportunity, development, and vision.
The message is loud and clear: Texas is back, not just on Saturdays, but on the recruiting trail. And with Derrek Cooper on the way, the future looks faster, stronger, and brighter than ever.
