AUSTIN, Texas — After Steve Sarkisian cast a pessimistic view of the outlook for freshman Texas running back Derrek Cooper on Monday, a report from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports indicates the Longhorns could get Cooper back as soon as Saturday.
According to Zenitz, Cooper is expected to be a game-time decision as No. 4 Texas prepares to take on No. 1 Ohio State at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Cooper left the Longhorns’ season-opening game against Texas State with an ankle injury. When asked about his status on Monday, Sarkisian’s response was dour.
“Derrek’s in a boot, and he’ll be in a boot for the foreseeable future,” Sarkisian said.
That comment — perhaps intended as a bit of a head fake for the Ohio State coaching staff ahead of a huge game — seemed to indicate that we’d be talking about weeks, not days, when it came to Cooper’s recovery.
If the Longhorns can get Cooper back for Saturday, it would give them another player who, at a minimum, can prove useful in certain situations.
Cooper has been discussed as a potential short-yardage option for Texas since his arrival on campus this winter.
The Longhorns didn’t encounter that type of scenario against Texas State before Cooper left the game in the second quarter and returned to the sideline wearing a boot after halftime. Cooper took three snaps and carried the ball twice for six yards.
Listed at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, Cooper drew positive reviews from teammates all spring and summer. He was the third running back on the field last week, working behind Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown.
“He’s got the size, speed and he’s coming along great,” star Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles said during camp. “Our lockers are next to each other and you can really see his growth. He’s always asking questions and wanting to get better.”
247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins liked what he saw from Cooper as a prospect, too.
Here’s what Ivins wrote after he watched Cooper in 2025:
-Big rusher with pop behind the pads that creates yardage in traffic with his timing and cuts.
-Initially was viewed as more of a defensive projection, but majority of the work came on offense during the later stages of prep career.
-Makes his money as a north-south runner with his core power. Will ram his way through defenders and thrust himself forward. Frequently gets it in got-to-have-it situations.
-Can turn short runs into long runs as he builds speed when he finds a crease, but should be viewed as more of a downhill force than a true home-run hitter.
-Should offer some three-down value on Saturdays as he tracks the football well out of the backfield and has been productive in the screen game, but must improve pass protection tactics.
-Improved flexibility would go a long way as early testing numbers suggest that there’s a little more to the athlete.
-Has the size and talent to be a valuable piece in any committee for a College Football Playoff contender and could earn early touches against stacked boxes.