“‘THIS PROGRAM WILL NEVER WIN ANOTHER NATTY’: CFB Fans Erupt as Nation’s No. 2 RB Derrek Cooper Commits to Texas Over Miami and Georgia”

The college football world erupted in a whirlwind of reactions, debates, and bold proclamations when Derrek Cooper, the nation’s No. 2 ranked running back in the 2026 recruiting class, made his commitment to the Texas Longhorns. The announcement sent shockwaves through fanbases across the country, particularly at Miami and Georgia, two programs that were heavily in the mix until the very end. But it wasn’t just a win for Texas—it became a lightning rod for social media chaos. Among the loudest takes that flooded timelines and comment sections was the claim that “this program will never win another natty,” a bold and bitter sentiment that seemed to reflect the frustration of losing out on a generational talent.

For the Texas Longhorns, Cooper’s commitment marks another step forward in what appears to be a steadily rising program under head coach Steve Sarkisian. A blend of elite recruiting, strong player development, and SEC transition momentum has made Texas an increasingly attractive destination for top-tier prospects. Cooper’s announcement only reinforces that narrative. Standing 6’1″ and weighing in at 215 pounds, Cooper is the kind of bruising, yet elusive, back that scouts rave about. He combines downhill power with breakaway speed and a high football IQ, making him one of the most complete backs to emerge in recent recruiting cycles.

His commitment ceremony, streamed live with Texas gear front and center, sparked immediate jubilation among Longhorns fans, who’ve been yearning for a return to national title contention for over a decade. The last national championship for Texas came in the 2005 season under Mack Brown with Vince Young at quarterback, and despite flashes of potential since then, the program has fallen short of replicating that success. Now, with Cooper joining an already stacked offensive recruiting class, the hope is that the path back to glory is finally materializing.

But not everyone is sold on that dream. The fallout from Cooper’s commitment brought out an avalanche of criticism, doubt, and sheer frustration from rival fanbases, particularly those of Georgia and Miami. Many Miami fans, still smarting from multiple recent recruiting misses and inconsistent on-field performances, took to social media to voice their discontent. Some labeled the decision a “bad business move,” citing Texas’ lack of recent championship success. Others pointed to Miami’s NIL opportunities and South Florida’s pipeline to the NFL as reasons why Cooper should have chosen the Hurricanes. A vocal minority simply lashed out, with the now-viral phrase “this program will never win another natty” being repeated again and again across various forums and platforms.

From Georgia fans, the reaction was different—but no less intense. As the reigning powerhouse in college football, the Bulldogs have won multiple national titles in recent years and have built a reputation as Running Back U. Missing out on a player of Cooper’s caliber feels unusual, even unacceptable, for a fanbase accustomed to getting whoever they want. Some fans questioned how Georgia could possibly lose a top running back to a team that hasn’t won a championship in nearly 20 years. Others blamed the coaching staff or NIL missteps, but many simply expressed shock that Cooper turned down a surefire title contender. For them, Texas still represents promise—but not production. And that discrepancy was enough to spark more versions of the same hot take: “Texas will never win another natty.”

Yet amid all the noise, there’s a deeper undercurrent to Cooper’s decision—one that hints at a more complex recruiting landscape and the evolving priorities of elite athletes. Sources close to Cooper suggest that his bond with the Texas coaching staff was authentic and longstanding. The pitch wasn’t just about fame or rings, but about fit, opportunity, and legacy. At Texas, Cooper sees a chance to be the centerpiece of a new era. He envisions himself as the back who brings Texas back into the national spotlight, a role that likely wouldn’t have been afforded to him at Georgia with their committee-style backfield or even at Miami with their depth chart and question marks on the offensive line. In Austin, he’ll be The Guy from Day One.

Moreover, Texas’ pending full integration into the SEC adds another layer of intrigue. The program’s move to the most competitive conference in college football has already made waves on the recruiting trail. Cooper’s decision could be a harbinger of what’s to come: a Texas team that can compete with the SEC’s elite not just on the field, but in living rooms and Zoom calls with top recruits. The fact that Cooper chose Texas over Georgia, an SEC juggernaut, may not be the last time a top recruit sees the Longhorns as more than just a sleeping giant.

Inside the Texas football program, Cooper’s commitment is being treated like a foundational moment. Already, assistant coaches have taken to social media with cryptic “boom” posts, fans have begun speculating about jersey numbers, and teammates in his recruiting class have started envisioning what a Cooper-led offense will look like. For a team that already boasts promising quarterback talent, elite receivers, and a beefed-up offensive line, adding a back like Cooper is akin to locking in the final piece of a championship-caliber offense.

But even as the Longhorn faithful celebrate, they remain acutely aware of the shadow that’s followed Texas football for the better part of two decades—underperformance. It’s not enough to land the big fish. Texas has done that before. The question now is whether Sarkisian and his staff can turn top-tier recruiting into actual wins, playoff berths, and eventually, a national title. For all the hype around Cooper, the burden of expectation is heavy. Anything less than greatness will be seen as a disappointment, not just for Cooper, but for the program as a whole.

That’s precisely why the outside noise—especially the “never win another natty” crowd—continues to persist. There’s a sense among rival fans that Texas, for all its resources and history, has been a paper tiger in recent years. That no matter how many stars appear next to recruits’ names, the end result will always be the same: a midseason stumble, a late-season collapse, and a January spent watching others compete for championships. To them, Cooper is just the latest in a long line of 5-stars to choose Texas and never reach the promised land. The skepticism is loud, persistent, and at times, even reasonable.

Yet that same skepticism might just be what fuels this next generation of Longhorns. Derrek Cooper doesn’t strike anyone as a player who’s looking to coast. Those who’ve followed his high school career speak of a relentless competitor, a student of the game, and a natural leader who thrives on pressure. He’s aware of the doubts, the doubters, and the burden of history. But rather than shy away, he seems eager to confront them head-on.

And while one recruit doesn’t make a championship team, the right recruit can start a ripple effect. With Cooper now in the fold, Texas’ recruiting class is expected to climb even higher in the national rankings. Other top prospects have taken notice, and there’s already buzz that several undecided 5-stars are giving Texas a second look in light of Cooper’s announcement. The momentum is real—and potentially transformational.

So yes, the doubters will continue to chant that “this program will never win another natty.” They’ll flood message boards, tweet through the pain, and mock every hype video Texas releases. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that college football is cyclical. Dynasties fall. Sleepers rise. And sometimes, all it takes is one commitment—one decision by one elite player—to alter the course of a program’s future.

Derrek Cooper just might be that player. Whether Texas proves its critics wrong remains to be seen. But today, in the wake of one of the biggest recruiting wins in recent memory, the Longhorns have something more than just hope. They have belief. They have talent. And they have a five-star running back who didn’t choose history—he chose the future.