Alabama’s football coaching staff made a trip to South Florida on Thursday to visit highly touted 2026 running back prospect Derrek Cooper.
The four-star recruit, who plays for Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida, received a visit from several key members of the Crimson Tide staff.
On Friday, Cooper expressed his gratitude on social media for the visit. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 195 pounds, Cooper showcased his talent as a junior with 124 carries for 906 yards and 13 touchdowns. Alabama’s coaching staff has taken a keen interest in him, making it clear that he is a priority recruit.
Last week, Alabama running backs coach Robert Gillespie visited Cooper, and this time, he was joined by head coach Kalen DeBoer, wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, and general manager Courtney Morgan. Cooper has previously stated that he is “100 percent” committed to taking an official visit to Tuscaloosa, further solidifying Alabama’s interest in him.
Cooper has been impressed by Alabama’s offensive scheme, particularly its emphasis on utilizing running backs.
“They use their running backs a lot,” he noted. “I think I fit in their offense pretty well. They’re definitely one of my top schools.”
In addition to Alabama, top programs such as Texas, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State, and Georgia have also sent coaches to evaluate Cooper. However, if Alabama can successfully get him on campus, it could improve their chances of securing his commitment.
As a top priority for the Crimson Tide, Alabama’s coaching staff will continue staying in contact with Cooper and work to finalize a date for his visit. With multiple powerhouse programs vying for his talents, Cooper’s recruitment will be one to watch in the coming months.
