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Local 5-star RB Derrek Cooper planning on visiting Miami for ND game

Five-star Chaminade-Madonna running back Derrek Cooper, who is committed to Texas, will visit Miami for the Notre Dame game per a national report.
ByAlan Rubenstein|
Nov 11, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Travis Homer (24) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Nov 11, 2017; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Travis Homer (24) runs the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Miami will host five-star running back Derrek Cooper for the season opener versus Notre Dame on August 31, per Stephen Wagner of CaneSport and On3. Cooper is currently committed to Texas and plays for Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna.

Cooper is the 37th prospect, second RB and sixth player in Florida in the 2026 On3 Industry Rankings. Wagner also reported Cooper could visit a few other schools this season. In a social media post by Rivals on Saturday, Georgia and Ohio State were mentioned with Miami.

Proximity has likely played a key role in Cooper visiting Miami nine times, the most of any program, according to On3. Cooper has taken six visits to Georgia and four to Florida State. Miami was the early frontrunner for a Cooper commitment per On3. Texas became the favorite for Cooper about a week before he committed.

Despite his commitment to Texas, Cooper has not taken a visit to Austin per the Rivals webpage for him. Cooper has taken visits to 12 schools. Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Miami and Ohio State were the other finalists for Cooper when he announced his commitment to Texas.

Mario Cristobal has been adept at flipping RBs late in the recruitment cycle at Miami. Miami flipped Mark Fletcher in the 2023 class and Jordan Lyle in the 2024 class late in the recruitment cycle after both were committed to Ohio State.

Miami RB coach Matthew Merritt, who was hired in February 2024, was not part of the recruitments of Fletcher and Lyle with the Hurricanes. Merritt is listed as the primary recruiter for Cooper by On3. Cooper would be the second-highest-rated 2026 Miami commit behind five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell.

The 2026 Miami class is currently 10th nationally and first in the ACC in the On3 Industry Rankings. Cooper would be a huge boost to the 2026 Miami class. Having Cooper on the sidelines for what could be the biggest 2025 home game for Miami is significant for Mario Cristobal and his staff.

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