Texas breaking the bank for 5-star RB could be a disaster for FSU and Mike Norvell

​Mike Norvell needs a surprise commitment from a blue-chip prospect to really solidify this 2026 recruiting class. Unfortunately, five-star running back Derrek Cooper might not be the guy,

Cooper, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound back from Hollywood, Florida, will make his announcement on July 20 (pushed back from July 12) and FSU is one of the finalists along with Miami, Texas, Ohio State and Georgia. He took an official visit to Tallahassee on June 15, and as with most mid-week official visits, it kind of flew under the radar. 

Safe to say the chances of Cooper going to FSU aren't great, but the chances of Cooper staying in the ACC and playing for the in-state rival might be fading as well.

Rivals host Josh Newberg suggested flat out that Cooper would not be staying home and Texas insider Justin Wells said the Longhorns are making a huge play for the elite prospect.

"[Texas] has a new running backs coach in Chad Scott," Wells said. "That kind of muddied the waters a little bit with the guys that [former RB coach] Tashard Choice had built in with. Scott was the only guy that could actually get Cooper on campus."

"The Texas buzz is real," he continued. "They have prioritized this guy. They came with a big offer and a big opportunity to play early in Austin and I think Cooper is strongly considering it."

Texas' new RB coach is going to be a problem for FSU...and Miami

It's no surprise that Scott is making waves. He's one of the best recruiters in college football, and I'm surprised that FSU has never tried to hire him given he's from Plant City, Florida. The bottom line is that if Texas is making a prospect a priority, it means they are putting a lot of resources behind it.

And when I say "resources", I mean money. Cash. Green. The stuff that folds. Texas has never been shy about spending it, and they've finally got coaches on staff that know how to use it to get the right players.

We're still five days away from Cooper's announcement, so a lot could change in a short time. But it would really stink for Miami if they lost out on another major prospect in their backyard.

As for FSU, the Seminoles have already got a running back in the class - three-star prospect Amari Thomas - and are not actively searching for a second back unless it's a special talent like Cooper.