Georgia Gets Strong Message From Five-Star RB
Georgia Gets Strong Message From Five-Star RB originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Georgia Bulldogs emerged confident after five-star running back Derrek Cooper visited campus last weekend. On3's Chad Simmons reported on June 13 that the Bulldogs could very well be the favorite in the top running back's recruitment.
Advertisement
While Cooper stopped short of calling the Bulldogs the favorite, he didn't tell Rivals' Harrison Reno anything that would suggest Georgia isn't his No. 1 choice at the moment.
While talking to Reno, the running back raved about the relationships he's made with the Bulldogs program.
"Our bond is very good," Cooper told Reno. "You know, we talk every day, you know, just chatting it up, see how things are going. So our bond is pretty tight."
Georgia Bulldogs football head coach Kirby Smart© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Reno wrote that Cooper's mother, Tonya Brinson, is playing "a significant part" in his recruitment. That makes it all the more important that the Bulldogs feel like family to the running back.
Advertisement
"Development, the family that's being felt from the coaching staff," Cooper added. "You know, she just wants to be able to sleep at night knowing that I'm well taken care."
Cooper is a consensus top five running back in the 2026 recruiting class. Based on the 247Sports Composite rankings, Cooper is also the No. 2 Florida prospect and No. 20 overall recruit for 2026.
Simmons reported the Miami Hurricanes are Georgia's biggest competition for Cooper. Although the Bulldogs appear confident they will eventually land the running back, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine and 247Sports Crystal Ball both have Cooper committing to Miami.
Advertisement
The Auburn Tigers, Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles, Penn State Nittany Lions and Ohio State Buckeyes are also contenders for Cooper.
Related: Highly Touted Playmaker Expected to Have Unfortunate Change of Heart on Georgia
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bengals blasted again for Shemar Stewart contract standoff before camp
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to be hit from all sides over the Shemar Stewart contract situation. What is a nuanced contract situation has onlookers picking sides to some degree, as a chunk of onlookers do wonder why Stewart hasn't at least practiced with his teammates before the whole leaving-minicamp-early thing. Advertisement But the Bengals haven't been able to escape their past reputation in the minds of many, with a new national example popping up recently. While chatting with Bengals offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., ESPN's Field Yates hit the Bengals for the entire situation. 'This one is inexcusable… we are talking about minute details of a contract that is pages upon pages long. This was one of the rawest players taken in the entire first round. Those reps are valuable for all rookies.' RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route Brown said in that same conversation that the Stewart situation and the Trey Hendrickson contract drama aren't causing distractions for Bengals players (at least yet, anyway). Advertisement Even so, Yates' commentary on the lead-in to the conversation is another example of Cincinnati's earned reputation. The Bengals are within their rights to want to reset certain contract language in their deals from this point. But Stewart is within his rights to say no thanks, while outsiders remain within their rights to point at the past history of the Bengals on these matters. RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals blasted again for Shemar Stewart contract standoff before camp
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 Steelers defenders primed for breakout season in 2025
As the Steelers' 2025 roster begins to take shape, several defensive players are positioned for huge breakout seasons this year. These three defenders have flashed moments of greatness — but 2025 could be the year they break out and solidify themselves among the NFL's elite. CB Joey Porter Jr. Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 34-11. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Porter's first two years in the NFL were filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows — but all that should change in Year 3 for the Steelers corner. The acquisition of Darius Slay Jr. should work wonders for Porter's development, as the veteran cornerback has claimed he's already taken the young Steeler under his wing. ILB Payton Wilson Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Payton Wilson (41) picks up the fumble en route to scoring a defensive touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Wilson had a tremendous rookie season and has shown zero signs of slowing down this offseason — having added weight to his frame in preparation to deliver an even more impressive Year 2. The return of veteran ILB Cole Holcomb could push the young linebacker to new heights, as Wilson gears up to potentially lead the retooled Steelers defense. NT Keeanu Benton Aug 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Keeanu Benton (95) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky (11) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports Benton has steadily improved every year since being drafted by the Steelers in 2023 — and there's no reason to assume that'll change in 2025, especially after the unit vastly improved this offseason through both free agency and the NFL Draft. Nose tackles may be the unsung heroes on defense, but no one will be able to deny Benton's impact this year as he pairs with Cam Heyward and rookie Derrick Harmon to form one of the league's strongest interior defensive lines. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers 2025 defensive breakout candidates to watch
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Crucial season ahead for Stoops, UK
The last three college football seasons have been disappointing for Kentucky, especially the Wildcats' 4-8 finish last fall, and chatter around the program indicates that 2025 might be a make-or-break year for head coach Mark Stoops. Entering his 13th season in Lexington, Stoops is facing the challenge of turning the Wildcats' fortunates around. Since 2022, Kentucky has gone just 18-20 overall and 7-17 against Southeastern Conference opponents. Advertisement Part of that hopeful turnaround includes the addition of 26 new faces through the NCAA transfer portal — a group that 247Sports rates as the 10th-best transfer class in the nation. More than 30 players left UK since the conclusion of the 2024 campaign, and also gone is Vince Marrow, who's long been considered one of the best recruiters in college football. More so than anything, UK needs to right the ship after missing a bowl game for the first time in eight seasons. 'It just comes at perceptively a vulnerable time,' SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum said on his show. 'I'm sure you could spin it the other way: For all of Vince's greatness, the last two years sucked. 'Mark Stoops does not help himself very much because he can be surly. He can be defensive. ... It's not a good look when you do it in some of the circumstances he has done it in.' Advertisement The relationship between Stoops and the UK fan base has been up and down since 2023, when the coach countered NIL collective criticisms with a reply to 'pony up' the money to compete with the SEC's elite. At the end of that season, Stoops seemed set on leaving for another coaching job before Texas A&M changed its mind at the last minute. Instead, Stoops returned to UK, where he remains the longest-tenured coach in the SEC. His $9 million annual salary also ranks him as the 12th highest-paid coach in college football and fifth in the SEC. His contract runs through 2030, and if Kentucky wanted to move on from Stoops, a buyout would cost the school almost $45 million. Some critics say the results aren't worth the money. In a CBS Sports poll conducted last month, a panel voted Stoops as the No. 36 coach in college football. The Cats are widely expected to finish 14th in the 16-team SEC. In the last 12 years, Kentucky has struggled against top-10 teams and has had trouble competing following bye weeks. Advertisement However, the door is still open for Stoops to turn things around. 'Getting to a bowl, especially when you have a schedule like Kentucky's, is not impossible,' Finebaum said. 'If you win the four nonconference games — that includes beating Louisville — but that should not be impossible to do. 'I think a bowl game is possible. I think Stoops just has to show proof of life.' Inside the program, Stoops seems unfazed. Since Marrow's departure last week, UK has landed five commitments for 2026, including four-star safety Messiah Tilson out of Illinois. Derek Shay was promoted to tight ends coach to help replace Marrow after serving as Kentucky's senior offensive analyst and run game specialist. And workouts will continue this summer and into the fall. Advertisement In an interview with UK safety Ty Bryant for UK Sports Network, Stoops appeared ready for a bounce back. 'I love the fit,' Stoops said of the current state of the team. 'I like the way they've come in and really adapted, and I think we've been trying to be much more intentional about setting the standards — what is our culture, what we've been through for so many years — and setting that bar high and making sure the accountability piece is there, making sure the buy-in is there. I love this group.'
