Ohio State Buckeyes look to continue elite playmaker pipeline as they make final cut for five-star from Jeremiah Smith's high school
The Ohio State Buckeyes are once again in the running for a top-tier five-star recruit. Derrek Cooper, a versatile athlete from Chaminade-Madonna High School, has narrowed his college choices to five, with Ohio State among the finalists. Fans may recognize Chaminade-Madonna as the same school that produced Ohio State’s freshman star Jeremiah Smith. Could Smith […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are once again in the running for a top-tier five-star recruit. Derrek Cooper, a versatile athlete from Chaminade-Madonna High School, has narrowed his college choices to five, with Ohio State among the finalists.
Fans may recognize Chaminade-Madonna as the same school that produced Ohio State’s freshman star Jeremiah Smith. Could Smith influence Cooper to join him in Columbus? It’s possible, but the competition is fierce. Florida State, Georgia, Miami, and Texas are also in the mix, with many experts favoring Miami as the frontrunner.
Cooper, classified as an athlete due to his standout performances on both offense and defense, had an impressive junior year as a running back. He averaged 9.3 yards per carry, amassing 905 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while also contributing nine receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, he recorded 46 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles.
Once set to announce on July 12, Cooper initially was going to push back until the fall so he could make an official visit to Austin to see Texas. That has since changed, and he's willing to make a verbal sooner.
Cooper is set to announce his decision on July 20 at 7 p.m. While Ohio State already has three-star running back Favour Akih committed, the Buckeyes are eager to bolster their backfield with another elite talent like Cooper.
Here's a scouting report from Andrew Ivins of 247Sports.
A jack-of-all-trades that some schools view as a running back while others think the ceiling might be higher as a back-seven defender. Owns a favorable athletic profile for a mid-skill with bright green speed and explosion scores. As a ball carrier, runs with plenty of tempo and energy as he hits the hole with urgency. Always seems to be spiraling forward with his 6-foot-1, 205-pound frame and will use his core power to bounce off tacklers in tight quarters. Effective on swing/screen passes and has the hands to emerge as more than just a check-down option for a passing attack. On defense, displays advanced IQ as he’s quick to read and react. Charges downhill with authority and has proven to be a solid open-field tackler. Can get home on the blitz and is also rather competent in both man and zone coverage after playing primarily safety early on in prep career. Should be viewed as one of the more unique evaluations in the class given the position ambiguity as he could settle in as a bell cow on offense or thrive as a speed-and-space linebacker. Will need a plan and a vision at the next level, but has stamped himself as one of the top overall prospects in the Sunshine State at this stage after impacting games in a variety of different ways.
