The college football offseason might be quiet on the field, but behind the scenes? It’s absolute chaos. Coaches are in all-out war mode, battling to secure the future of their programs through recruiting. And at the center of it all stands one of the most electrifying prospects in the 2026 class—Derrek Cooper, a four-star running back who has the nation’s top programs sweating bullets.
Right now, it seems like Cooper is inching closer to his decision, and if you’re Ryan Day (Ohio State) or Dan Lanning (Oregon), you might be losing sleep over where he’s leaning. The rumor mill is buzzing, and if the latest whispers are to be believed, Georgia might already have one foot in the door.
The Georgia Connection: A Perfect Fit or Just Smoke?
On February 3rd, Josh Newberg and Jeremy Johnson of DawgHQ broke it all down, and Johnson didn’t hold back. “I talked to Derrek Cooper a couple weeks ago, and he said, ‘Man, Georgia feels like home.’” That’s not just a casual compliment—it’s the kind of statement that turns heads. Especially when you consider that Cooper has visited Athens more times than some actual UGA students.
Standing at 6’1” and 200 pounds, Cooper is a wrecking ball on the field, coming out of Chaminade-Madonna College Prep in Fort Lauderdale. His blend of power, vision, and speed makes defenders hesitate before trying to take him down. Last season, he racked up 905 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and averaged over seven yards per carry—pure dominance. And just in case defenses thought they could stop him by stacking the box, he added 156 receiving yards and another touchdown to remind everyone that he’s a dual-threat weapon.
Several powerhouse programs are after him, but if you’re reading between the lines, Georgia might already be pulling ahead. Cooper has openly praised head coach Kirby Smart and running backs coach Josh Crawford, saying, “I love everything about Georgia. The coaching staff is awesome, and my whole family loves Kirby Smart. Coach Crawford and I talk almost every day, and I fit well into their offense as a running back.”
That? That’s a full-fledged love letter.
But Wait—Miami, Auburn, and Ohio State Are Still in the Hunt
Recruiting, however, is never a done deal until the ink is dry on the commitment letter. Cooper still has a long road ahead, and while Georgia leads the race, the hometown pull of Miami cannot be ignored.
Jeremy Johnson emphasized this, saying, “There’s a long way to go. Miami is a team to watch, and Auburn is in there as well.” Right now, Miami is the slight favorite, with On3’s predictor giving them a 40.1% chance of landing Cooper. Georgia follows at 25.2%, while Auburn (9%) and Ohio State (7.4%) are still lurking.
But let’s be real—recruiting rankings are about as stable as Florida weather. One moment, a player is locked in, the next, he’s flipping on signing day. And Miami isn’t sitting idly by, with RB coach Matt Merritt and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson making their presence known during a home visit last month.
As for Ohio State? Ryan Day is fighting tooth and nail to keep Cooper in the mix. Cooper was in Columbus for their Week 11 matchup against Purdue, and the Buckeyes have been working overtime to get him back on campus. If they can pull him in for another visit, things could get interesting.
Meanwhile, Oregon needs to hit the gas—because right now, they’re barely on Cooper’s radar. And with Georgia leading the charge, it’s looking more and more like Kirby Smart is set on making the 2026 class his personal trophy collection.
Georgia Isn’t Stopping at Cooper—Four-Star Safety Jordan Smith is Next
The Bulldogs aren’t just targeting elite running backs. Nope—they’re doubling down on defense, too, setting their sights on four-star safety Jordan Smith, another top prospect in the 2026 class.
Smith, out of Warner Robins, GA, is ranked No. 58 overall and the No. 6 safety in the country. And if recruiting is a game of chess, then Kirby Smart is playing five moves ahead.
Smith has visited Athens four times already, and guess what? His only scheduled official visit right now is to Georgia. That’s not just a hint—that’s a giant neon sign flashing “COMMITMENT LOADING…”
During his latest trip for Georgia’s Junior Day, Smith said, “It was a lot more 1-on-1 time, really.” Translation? Kirby Smart rolled out the red carpet and made sure Smith felt like a priority. And let’s be honest—when Georgia zeroes in on an in-state player, other programs better start making backup plans.
Georgia’s Master Plan: Own the 2026 Class
If you’re a coach outside of Athens, this recruiting cycle might feel like watching a heist movie unfold in real time. Kirby Smart isn’t just winning—he’s dominating. Derrek Cooper? Jordan Smith? They look destined for Athens.
Ryan Day and Dan Lanning can try to keep up, but right now? Georgia is driving the recruiting bus, and everyone else is just hoping to hitch a ride.
