Texas signee Derrek Cooper wins 2025 Nat Moore Trophy Award

A day before Early National Signing Day, Chaminade-Madonna Prep running back Derrek Cooper was honored Tuesday night with South Florida’s top high school football honor before signing with the University of Texas.

The senior tailback beat out Miami Morthwestern’s Calvin Russell, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Justice Fitzpatrick and Miami Central’s Brandon Kinsey for the prestigious honor. Cooper is looking to head off to the Lone Star State, but before he does, the future Longhorn will look to help Chaminade-Madonna win a 10th state title and a fifth straight in Florida’s Class 1A.

“I would like to just thank God. Thank God, thank God, man, because my high school journey has been struggle from the start. Then just getting to the end of it. My senior year has been a good year. Coach Jones, I appreciate you, and I’d like to thank everybody,” Cooper said at the ceremony, via a CBS Miami report.

“You know, this will catapult me forward, you know from all the winners that won last time, they always do good in college. So this is my journey to start from Texas.”

Cooper this 2025 season has rushed for 1,391 yards and scored 17 touchdowns for the Lions, which he gives a lot of credit to Chaminade-Madonna head coach Dameon Jones and the staff for helping develop him on the high school level.

“Chaminade has developed me a lot to become a better young man on and off the field. I appreciate Coach Jones and the whole coaching staff,” Cooper said to Rivals after signing with Texas.

“That was amazing to win that award. I was so honored and blessed to win that award. It was just an amazing moment to celebrate with my family.”

How to Follow Florida High School Football

For Florida high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Sunshine State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Florida.