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Now that Alabama icon Nick Saban is officially retired from coaching, Georgia football surely sees an opportunity to firmly establish themselves as the sport's world-beater for the next several years. That lofty but seemingly attainable mission begins by winning a national championship in 2024-25.
But dynasties are not maintained without looking towards the future, in some cases a couple years into the future. The Bulldogs are securing a commitment from 2026 four-star recruit Derrek Cooper, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3.com. The big news comes a day after five-star linebacker Zayden Walker (2025 class) pledged his loyalty to Georgia.
Head coach Kirby Smart continues to stockpile high-quality talent, as the team tries to stay near the front of the pack in an ever-growing and evolving college football landscape. SEC competition is expected to be fiercer than ever with Texas and Oklahoma joining the fray, so the program must prepare accordingly.
Cooper seemingly fits in the Bulldogs' long-term vision. “UGA is family, always has been, was really easy to make this decision!” he said, per Fawcett. He is choosing the Dawgs over Miami, Florida State, LSU and Alabama, among others.
It should be noted that the 6-foot-1 teenager is classified as an athlete rather than a specific position, playing on both offense and defense at Hollywood, Florida's Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School. His impressive versatility launched him into the top 25 in his recruiting class and clearly caught Georgia's eye.
Derrek Cooper plans to eventually become a regular running back, per On3's Chad Simmons, a position group that consistently finds success in Athens. By the time he is taking the ball out of the backfield, Georgia hopes to have reestablished itself as the unequivocal powerhouse in the NCAA.
Georgia football is on the hunt for more bling
Although the Bulldogs were left out of the 2024 College Football Playoff following their SEC Championship loss to the Crimson Tide, few doubted their claim to being one of the four best teams in the country. While Georgia was shaky at times, it frequently reminded people of its capabilities with shellackings of Kentucky, Ole Miss and Tennessee. A 63-3 laugher against a shorthanded Florida State squad should be viewed with some skepticism, but the Dawgs nonetheless flaunted their superiority.
The expanded 12-team CFP bracket will allow Smart and company to survive one blemish on their résumé, or maybe even two. These fortuitous circumstances should position Georgia football for their third national championship in four years.
Derrek Cooper and a crop of other talented prospects figure to be a part of all the excitement in the next few years. The Bulldogs' revenge tour surges ahead.
