The Best From Florida Play For Texas: Five-Star 2026 Star Derrek Cooper Commits to Longhorns in Recruiting Stunner

The recruiting arms race in college football just tilted once again — in favor of the Texas Longhorns. One of the most electric and coveted athletes in the nation, five-star 2026 prospect Derrek Cooper from Jacksonville, Florida, has officially committed to Texas, sending shockwaves across the SEC and planting another flag in Florida soil for the surging Longhorns.

The news broke Thursday afternoon via a commitment video posted to Cooper’s social media, in which the Raines High School standout ended months of speculation with one clear message: “The best from Florida play for Texas.” Those words, echoing a powerful narrative in today’s recruiting world, now carry even more weight.

Cooper, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound cornerback with elite footwork, closing speed, and a fearless mentality, chose Texas over a host of blueblood programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Florida State. His decision adds a major building block to what is already shaping up to be one of the strongest recruiting classes in the country.

“Texas made me feel like home from day one,” Cooper told reporters after the announcement. “Coach Sarkisian, Coach Joseph, the whole staff — they never let up. It wasn’t about just the player I am today, but the man they believe I can become in Austin. That made the difference.”

For the Longhorns, the commitment marks another defining moment in their rise under head coach Steve Sarkisian. Fresh off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance and entering their first full season as a member of the SEC, Texas is recruiting like a national powerhouse again. Cooper joins an already loaded 2026 class featuring multiple top-100 prospects, and his pledge might just open the floodgates for others to follow.

“Derrek is the kind of guy who raises the standard everywhere he goes,” one Power Five coach told 247Sports. “He competes like it’s life or death. He’s physical. He’s vocal. He’s a culture-changer.”

Cooper’s commitment is also a massive statement geographically. While the Longhorns have traditionally dominated in-state recruiting, Sarkisian and his staff have made it clear they are now hunting nationally — especially in Florida. The Sunshine State has long been a breeding ground for elite talent, but Texas’ recent success in the region is hard to ignore.

In the last three recruiting cycles, the Longhorns have landed top-tier prospects out of Florida, including edge rusher Colton Vasek (albeit a flip from Oklahoma), speedy wideout Ryan Wingo, and defensive tackle D’Antre Robinson. But Cooper’s pledge is perhaps the most high-profile victory of all.

A consensus top-10 national prospect in the 2026 class, Cooper is considered the No. 1 cornerback by multiple outlets. His junior season at Raines was a masterclass in lockdown defense: five interceptions, 12 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and countless opposing quarterbacks who simply avoided his side of the field. Beyond the numbers, his confidence and swagger set him apart.

“You’re getting a Dawg with this kid,” said Raines head coach Donovan Masline. “He doesn’t care who you are — five-star receiver, Alabama commit, it doesn’t matter. He wants you lined up in front of him so he can take your will.”

Texas defensive backs coach Terry Joseph, known for his aggressive and high-IQ secondaries, played a major role in Cooper’s recruitment. Joseph’s pedigree — having coached multiple first-round NFL Draft picks — and Texas’ player development pitch ultimately helped win Cooper over.

According to sources close to Cooper, the Longhorns’ vision of using him as a press-man corner in a system that prioritizes physicality and versatility appealed deeply. The coaching staff also showed Cooper film of former Texas DBs currently thriving in the NFL, further emphasizing the pathway from Austin to the league.

“Coach Joseph didn’t sugarcoat anything,” Cooper said. “He told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear. That’s how you earn respect. I know I’ll be developed the right way at Texas.”

But the decision wasn’t just about football. The Longhorns’ combination of elite academics, NIL opportunities, facilities, and SEC exposure helped seal the deal. Cooper’s family, particularly his mother, played an integral part in the process. They visited Austin multiple times, each trip solidifying the Longhorns’ lead.

“I saw my mom smile on campus,” Cooper said. “That was it for me. I knew if she was good, I was good. She felt the love, the safety, the support. And now I’m a Longhorn.”

In terms of long-term impact, Cooper’s commitment could have a ripple effect in both the 2026 class and beyond. With a top Florida talent choosing Texas over traditional SEC juggernauts, it signals to others that Austin is no longer just a regional destination — it’s a national brand on the rise.

Social media lit up following the announcement. Texas fans erupted with excitement, flooding timelines with burnt orange graphics and celebratory tweets. Even current Longhorns players and commits chimed in, welcoming Cooper and adding to the growing energy around the program.

Arch Manning, the former No. 1 overall prospect and current Texas quarterback, posted on X: “Let’s work, young bull 🤘🏽 #HookEm.” Other recruits soon followed, hinting at a “Florida-to-Texas” movement that Cooper might be leading.

From a roster construction perspective, Cooper fills a crucial long-term need. With several upperclassmen in the Texas secondary projected to depart for the NFL within the next two years, the cornerback room needed elite reinforcements. Cooper’s arrival ensures the Longhorns will continue to have shutdown potential on the outside.

“He has day-one starter written all over him,” said ESPN recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill. “You don’t often say that about a high school junior, but he’s different. He’s got the traits — twitch, technique, toughness — to be an All-American in college and a first-rounder in the league.”

The SEC will certainly take notice. With Texas now fully integrated into the league, stacking up against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, LSU, and Florida becomes a weekly reality. Landing top-tier defenders like Cooper is not just a win — it’s a necessity.

And make no mistake, Cooper’s mindset fits perfectly into that battlefield. “I don’t run from competition,” he said during his commitment ceremony. “I run toward it. If you’re scared of the SEC, you’re not built for Texas.”

In many ways, Derrek Cooper embodies the new Texas — fearless, relentless, and national in scope. He’s not just a big-time recruit. He’s a message to the rest of the country: Texas is here, and it’s not backing down.

As for what’s next, Cooper says he’s focused on finishing his high school career strong and bringing a state title to Raines. But he’s also already begun recruiting for the Longhorns.

“I’m trying to bring the best with me,” he said. “If you’ve got that dawg in you, come to Austin. Let’s build a dynasty.”

In a sport where momentum is everything, Texas just scored a massive win — not only on the field but in perception. When five-star studs from football-rich Florida start calling Texas home, it says one thing loud and clear:

The Longhorns are back — and the best are following.