Miami Hurricanes getting another up-close shot at flipping crucial local Texas commitment
Mario Cristobal is continuing to push hard for local standout RB Derrek Cooper.
Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes are not giving up on letting one of the top recruits in South Florida for the 2026 cycle leave the Sunshine State without a fight.
According to On3 Sports’ Stephen Wagner, Hollywood, FL (Chaminade-Madonna Prep) four-star RB Derrek Cooper, a Texas Longhorns commitment, is going to be in attendance as a visitor for Miami’s ACC home opener on Friday night against the Louisville Cardinals.
Four-star Texas Longhorns commit Derrek Cooper will be in attendance for Hurricanes vs. Cardinals
Cooper is a major target for Miami, and they were a finalist for his services before Cooper spurned the Canes and pulled the trigger on the Longhorns back in July. He’s ranked as the #38 overall player, #2 running back, and #6 player in the state of Florida for the 2026 cycle according to On3 Sports/Rivals’ composite rankings. He holds offers from just about every notable program across the country.
Cooper was in attendance, along with a slew of notable local top recruits committed elsewhere, for Miami’s season-opening 27-24 win over Notre Dame. As such, the Hurricanes have had the opportunity to make a big impression on the local standout, and that impression has been felt, as Cooper told Wagner that Hurricanes RB Mark Fletcher, Jr. has been impressive to him.
However, he also told Wagner that he’s still solid with Texas at this point in time after visiting Dallas last weekend for OU/Texas.
“It’s everything that I’ve always liked about them,” Cooper told Wagner. “Coach Sark bringing me into his offense to play, not to wait. They want me to get on the field now so I’ve just got to come in and do what I do.”
I do think that Miami has done a nice job with getting true freshman involved quick, and those players have made impact plays this season for the Hurricanes. Chief among them are WR Malachi Toney and S Bryce Fitzgerald, both of whom have had massive starts to the season. Toney had 7 catches for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns against Florida State, and Fitzgerald has 3 interceptions.
We’ll see if Miami can continue to make inroads with a player they clearly are pushing hard to keep at home.
College Football
Former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant has strong take on social media about Miami Hurricanes WR Malachi Toney during win over Florida State
The Canes’ freshman got a big shoutout from a notable name.
