‘Freakish talent’: Derrek Cooper is Chaminade’s next burgeoning star
Freakish. Unique. Special.
All ways that Chaminade-Madonna players and coaches describe senior running back Derrek Cooper.
And it might not be hyperbole.
““He’s kind of unique, a unicorn type,” Chaminade coach Dameon Jones said. “Derrek is so talented, he could start at Division-I school at running back, receiver or safety or cornerback. He’s that talented. He’s special.”
Cooper (6-1, 205 pounds) is the top-ranked running back in the state of Florida per 247Sports.
But on the field, he can do much more.
Cooper’s ability to run the ball with power, his breakaway speed, his pass-catching prowess, and his ability to play defense and return kicks at a high level, mirror some of the all-time greats to ever come out of Florida like Dalvin Cook and his boyhood idol, future Hall of Famer Derrick Henry.
Cooper is ready to leave his mark before he heads off to play for the University of Texas. Cooper is one of two elite talents from South Florida committed to the Longhorns along with Plantation American Heritage quarterback Dia Bell.
“That backfield at Texas is going to be something special,” Cooper said. “I’m going to go in there as a freshman and grind my butt off and earn everything.”
Cooper isn’t the first special talent to play for Chaminade during a recent run of success, which has included four consecutive state titles, seven in the past eight seasons and a state-record nine consecutive trips to the state finals.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith just graduated from Chaminade after the 2023 season, and went on to have a stellar freshman year, leading Ohio State to a national title. Many figure Smith to be on his way to a great NFL career.
Could Cooper be next?
Cooper barely scratched the surface as far as his stats during his junior season. He ran for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and finished with 156 receiving yards and a touchdown on just nine catches.
On a team with such a wide array of offensive weapons, it’s often difficult to spread the ball around.
But expect Cooper to be a bigger focal point of Chaminade’s offense this season.
“To be so strong and fast and still be able to run routes like he does,” Chaminade wide receiver Jasen Lopez said. “He’s a freakish talent. You can put him anywhere on the field.”
“When he’s in the backfield, Derrek forces them to pack the box and that opens up the pass from there.”
Cooper developed his noted versatility by playing nearly every position on the football field during youth football days in Miami Gardens and Fort Lauderdale, playing with other top South Florida talents like Miami Northwestern receiver Calvin Russell and quarterback Leon Strawder and Miami Central receiver Brandon Kinsey.
Cooper even blocked before he ran, lining up as an offensive lineman. But Cooper said he always knew he wanted to have the ball in his hands and be the one making plays.
“It helped (playing o-line) because you see what happens up front in the trenches,” Cooper said. “But It was just fun being able to take the ball in the backfield and see the whole field and then make big plays and hear that crowd cheering.”
Cooper enters the season ranked the No. 6 overall prospect in the state and No. 40 nationally by 247Sports. Besides being the top-ranked running back in the state, he is No. 3 nationally at his position.
But despite all of the accolades, Cooper remains humble, according to his teammates.
“His parents are great people. If you met him anywhere else, you would never think he’s this five-star, top running back in the nation,” Lopez said. “He acts like anyone else.”
Chaminade returns nine starters on offense and six on defense.
Cooper will anchor the backfield with talented junior Arwin Jackson, a three-star prospect.
Junior Tyler Chance, who threw for 1,196 yards, 18 touchdowns and two interceptions in nine games last season is the Lions’ only returning quarterback and likely starter, although he is competing in preseason practices with freshman Malik Leonard and senior Darryon Jones.
They’ll have an array of weapons at their disposal with Chaminade returning a talented receiving core that includes Lopez, a Florida State commit, senior Denairius Gray, a Kentucky commit, and got stronger with the addition of sophomore Tromon Isaac Jr., a transfer from Davie Western.
The line blocking for Cooper and others is led by 6-7, 300-pound tackle Ashley Walker, an Arkansas commit, and seniors Ekeem Atehortua (6-4, 305) and Elias Sturman (6-0, 290).
On defense, Chaminade is led by linebacker Bryant Junius, an Appalachian State commit, defensive end and Eastern Michigan commit RJ Alphonse, who led the team with 10.5 sacks last season.
The secondary is anchored by junior safety Angelo Smith and senior cornerback LeonZay Merzius.
And the kicking game is in good hands again with senior Noah Sidan, one of the best kickers in the state, returning.
Chaminade enters the season ranked No. 7 nationally according to MaxPreps.
The Lions face a daunting schedule, which begins with a preseason classic matchup at reigning Class 6A state champion West Boca Raton on Thursday.
Chaminade will then open the regular season against No. 5 St. Frances Academy. Their schedule also includes games against No. 8 American Heritage and No. 10 St. Thomas Aquinas.
Before he heads to Texas, Cooper would love to lead the Lions to another state title and perhaps even a national championship.
“This is going to be a great year for us and I really believe we’re going undefeated,” Cooper said.
This story was originally published August 11, 2025 at 7:00 AM.
