Georgia dealt blow by SEC rival.
Georgia Dealt Unfortunate News on Star Playmaker This Week originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Georgia Bulldogs continue to battle their SEC rivals in Austin, Texas, both on and off the field. Georgia was dealt yet another college football recruiting blow by the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs appear to be on a bit of a losing streak when it comes to competing against the Longhorns for star players in recent weeks.
On Tuesday, star running back Derrek Cooper committed to join Texas over Georgia, Ohio State Buckeyes and Miami Hurricanes among other top college football programs. Cooper is rated as a five-star prospect in the 2026 class by ESPN and the No. 7 overall player.
The playmaker is ranked as a four-star running back by both Rivals and 247Sports.
On3's Pete Nakos reflected on the new rivalry between Georgia and Texas. A Georgia source hinted to the college football insider that Texas' NIL money has been hard to top.
“Nothing surprises us anymore,” a Georgia source told Nakos in a July 18, feature. “Love the last-minute Texas bag.”
BREAKING: Elite 2026 RB Derrek Cooper has Committed to Texas, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 20, 2025
The 6’2 210 RB from Fort Lauderdale, FL chose the Longhorns over Miami & Georgia
He’s ranked as the No. 2 RB in the ‘26 Class
“Terry blacks I’m on my way!”https://t.co/99qeVUfHrmpic.twitter.com/z37EOSD89Q
Earlier this month, Texas also snagged five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, who plays in Dawgs country at Grayson High School in the Atlanta, Ga., suburb of Lawrenceville, over Georgia. Nakos previously detailed Georgia's battle with Texas for Cooper.
BREAKING: 4-star RB Derrek Cooper commits to the Texas Longhorns LIVE on @CBSSports 🚨
— 247Sports (@247Sports) July 20, 2025
Cooper is the No. 40 overall ranked prospect in the 2026 class@DerrekCooper80 x @Horns247pic.twitter.com/H1DbKri53X
"Georgia and Texas are not done battling for top recruits," Nakos noted. "The programs are in the middle of the race to land four-star running back Derrek Cooper, who is set to announce a decision this weekend.
"The Bulldogs have had some quiet confidence, but Texas is still fighting to land one of the top remaining running backs in the 2026 cycle."
As it turns out, this "quiet confidence" was all for naught. On the field, Georgia hosts Texas on Nov. 15 at Sanford Stadium.
Related: Georgia QB Sends Clear Message on Texas Star Arch Manning
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
