Five-star Chaminade-Madonna consensus running back Derrek Cooper, who was one of the highest-priority prospects for Miami in the 2026 class, committed to Texas on Sunday. Despite Cooper pledging to Texas, Miami could still potentially be finished at RB in the 2026 class.
Miami has held a commitment from consensus 2026 four-star West Boca RB Javion Mallory since March 22. Consensus four-star RB Girard Pringle Jr. signed with Miami in the 2025 class and the Hurricanes added North Dakota State RB ChaMar Brown as a transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.
Sophomore Jordan Lyle and redshirt freshman Chris Wheatley-Humphrey cannot enter the NFL Draft until 2027. Junior Mark Fletcher is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft and could depart Miami following the 2025 season. Barring transfers, Miami projects to have a good depth chart at RB entering the 2026 season.
If Fletcher enters the 2026 NFL Draft, Lyle would project as the starting RB with Brown second-team and Pringle, Wheatley-Humphrey and Mallory competing to be the third ball carrier for Miami. Miami primarily used four RBs in 2023 and three during the 2024 season.
Cooper had 124 carries for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns and nine receptions for 156 yards and two scores in 2024, according to MaxPreps. Mallory had 67 carries for 676 yards and 10 TDs and had six receptions for 39 yards in seven games in 2024, according to MaxPreps.
Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson have shown the willingness to play freshmen, particularly at RB. Fletcher and Lyle were impact RBs as true freshmen in each of the past two seasons. Mallory has the potential to earn carries as a true freshman in 2026.
As a highly ranked local prospect, Cooper is a tough player for Miami to lose. With a deep group of RBs at least through the 2026 season, Cristobal Dawson and Miami RB coach Matt Merritt may choose to keep recruiting Cooper with the hope they can flip him but not pursue other 2026 RBs.