Miami Set to have Top 2026 Running Back Visit For Louisville Game

Derek Cooper is set to visit the Hurricanes on Friday against Louisville, with the chance to try and get him to rethink his commitment to Texas.

Sep 6, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on from the sideline against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Miami Hurricanes are on the move again to try and flip one of the top running backs in the country.

Derek Cooper is set to visit the Hurricanes on Friday against Louisville, with the chance to try and get him to rethink his commitment to Texas.

Head coach Mario Cristobal has been hell bent on getting the talented back to stay home and play for the Hurricanes. Even during his bye week, he was still working and was seen on the sideline of one of Cooper's games at Chaminade.

Cristobal wants him badly, and it is apparent from how he is handling his recruitment with extreme importance.

Live from The Crib: Miami head coach Mario Cristobal is in attendance tonight at Chaminade for Cooper’s game. Texas running backs coach Chad Scott is also in attendance keeping an eye on Cristobal and Cooper. Texas knows Miami will be a factor til signing day pic.twitter.com/N8bhTF0egI

— CaneSport Miami Hurricanes (@CaneSport) September 27, 2025

The Hurricanes have the No. 11-ranked class in the country. National Signing Day looms closer and closer, and nothing would be better than seeing the Hurricanes flip one of the biggest pieces in their 2026 board.

Class of 2026 Commitments

1. CB Camdin Portis, 6-foot, 165 lbs. - Charlotte, North Carolina (Committed 10/27/2024)
2. LB Jordan Campbell, 6-foot-2, 200 lbs. - Opa Locka, Florida (Committed 11/21/2023)
3. QB Dereon Coleman, 5-foot-11, 165 lbs. - Orlando, Florida (Committed 07/03/2024)
4. OT Ben Congdon, 6-foot-7, 270 lbs. - Mineral City, Ohio (Committed 3/3/2025)
5. CB, Jaelen Waters, 6-foot-2, 185 lbs. - Seffner, Florida (Committed 3/7/2025)
6. RB, Javian Mallory, 5-foot-11, 205 lbs. - Boca Raton, Florida (Committed 3/22/2025)
7. OL, Joel Ervin, 6-foot-6, 280 lbs. - Fort Myers, Florida (Committed 3/29/2025)
8. OT, JJ Sparks, 6-foot-4, 295 lbs. - Jacksonville, Florida (Committed 4/2/2025)
9. CB, Jontavius Wyman, 5-foot-11, 170 lbs. - Jonesboro, Georgia (Committed 4/6/2025)
10. OL, Jackson Cantwell, 6-foot-7.5, 315 lbs. - Nixa, Missouri (Committed 5/13/2025)
11. OL, Rhys Woodrow, 6-foot-4, 310 lbs. - Orlando, Florida (Committed 5/24/2025)
12. OL, Canon Pickett, 6-foot-4, 320 lbs. - Tampa, Florida (Committed 6/10/2025)
13. DL, Tyson Bacon, 6-foot-3, 263 lbs. - Hoover, Alabama (Committed 6/10/25)
14. DE, Asharri Charles, 6-foot-2 and 230 lbs. - Venice, Florida (Committed 6/22/25)
15. WR, Vance Spafford, 5-foot-11, Mission Viejo, California (Committed 6/23/25)
16. TE, Israel Briggs, 6-foot-5, 210 lbs. - Visalia, California (Committed 6/24/25)
17. WR, Tyran Evans, 6-foot-3, 185 lbs - Cornelius, North Carolina (Committed 6/25/25)
18. DL, Anthony Kennedy Jr., 6-foot-5, 330 lbs. - Little Rock, Arkansas (Committed 6/27/25)
19. CB, Brody Jennings, 6-foot-1, 175 lbs. - Jacksonville, Florida (Committed 7/5/25)
20. WR, Somourian Wingo, 6-foot-2, 185 lbs. - St. Augustine, Florida (Committed 7/17/25)

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University and is the site lead for the Miami Hurricanes on SI. He can be reached at Twitter @Justice_News5.

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