Edgerrin Cooper Bio
Edgerrin Cooper (born November 17, 2001) is an American professional football linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, where he developed into one of the most productive linebackers in the Southeastern Conference, earning consensus All-American honors in 2023. Selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, Cooper has quickly established himself as a key member of the Green Bay defense.
Early Life and Background
Edgerrin Cooper was born on November 17, 2001, in Covington, Louisiana. He grew up in the same community where he would later attend high school, building the foundation for his football career in a region known for producing tough, physical athletes. Cooper was named after NFL running back Edgerrin James, a detail that reflects the football culture that surrounded him during his upbringing.
Cooper attended Covington High School, where he developed into a highly recruited defensive prospect. In his senior season, he notched 118 tackles with 22 going for a loss, added two sacks, and contributed five touchdowns on offense. His combination of production, athleticism, and versatility made him one of the more sought-after linebacker prospects in his recruiting class, and he ultimately chose to continue his football career at Texas A&M.
Path to American Football
Cooper’s path to the professional ranks began with his commitment to the Texas A&M Aggies, where he joined a program with a strong tradition of developing defensive talent. His transition from a productive high school player to a college contributor was gradual, but the foundation built in Covington allowed him to adapt quickly to the speed and physicality of the Southeastern Conference.
During his early college years, Cooper focused on improving his instincts, tackling technique, and pass-coverage skills. The Aggies coaching staff used his development years to refine his game, preparing him for the larger role he would assume in the middle of the defense. By the time he reached his junior season, Cooper had transformed from a promising reserve into a leader on the Texas A&M defense.
Edgerrin Cooper Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Cooper’s college career began during the 2020 COVID-shortened season, when he recorded two tackles in two games while adjusting to the college level. The limited schedule provided only a small sample of his ability, but it offered him valuable experience within the Texas A&M defensive scheme.
In 2021, Cooper broke out with 58 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception. His performance earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, confirming his status as a rising defender in the conference. He closed his 2022 campaign with 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble, including a fumble he forced in the season finale against LSU.
Texas A&M Breakthrough (2023)
Cooper returned to the Aggies for the 2023 season as one of the team’s top defenders, delivering his most complete college campaign. His best performance came against Alabama, where he recorded 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks, demonstrating the disruption he could bring against elite competition.
His 2023 production earned him first-team All-SEC honors and consensus All-American recognition, placing him among the most respected linebackers in college football. Cooper’s combination of tackling volume, pressure on the quarterback, and coverage ability made him one of the top defensive prospects entering the 2024 NFL draft.
Green Bay Packers Era (2024–Present)
Cooper was selected with the 45th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, beginning his professional career with a team rebuilding its defensive identity. On May 23, 2024, he signed his rookie contract and reported to the Packers with an opportunity to compete for immediate playing time.
Making his first start in Week 8, Cooper was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup in a 30–27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. After missing three weeks with a hamstring injury, he returned in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks and delivered a team-leading seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two pass deflections, and an interception off backup quarterback Sam Howell in a 30–13 win, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the second time. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team following the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper plays with the physicality of a run-stopping linebacker while also showing the range to contribute in pass coverage and as a blitzer. His instincts, sideline-to-sideline pursuit, and ability to finish tackles give him three-down potential. He also demonstrates strong football intelligence, allowing him to diagnose plays quickly and disrupt offenses at the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cooper earned NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during his rookie season, becoming one of the few first-year linebackers to accomplish the feat. His interception off Sam Howell in Week 15 and his dominant performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 stood out as defining early moments. He closed his rookie year as a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection.
Edgerrin Cooper Career Wins
While individual game statistics define much of the linebacker position, Cooper’s résumé features standout performances that helped his teams secure key victories. During his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers, he played a central role in wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Seattle Seahawks, both of which earned him weekly conference recognition.
College Highlights
During his Texas A&M career, Cooper helped the Aggies close their 2022 season with a victory over LSU after forcing a fumble in the finale. His career also included an SEC All-Freshman Team selection in 2021, a first-team All-SEC nod in 2023, and consensus All-American honors that same year. He finished his college tenure among the most productive linebackers in program history.
Other Wins & Perfromances
Cooper’s senior season at Covington High School produced 118 tackles and five offensive touchdowns, helping anchor a defense that played a central role in the team’s success. His consistent production at every level has been a hallmark of his career.
Edgerrin Cooper Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Edgerrin Cooper’s immediate family remains limited. He was named after NFL running back Edgerrin James, a connection that highlights the football influence present in his upbringing. Beyond that detail, further specifics about his parents and siblings have not been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
Edgerrin Cooper keeps his personal life largely private, and details about a spouse or children have not been publicly confirmed. He resides in the United States and remains focused on his professional career with the Green Bay Packers.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Edgerrin Cooper enters his second year with the Green Bay Packers after a strong debut campaign that included two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards and a PFWA All-Rookie Team selection. The Packers are expected to expand his role within the defensive scheme, building around the instincts and playmaking ability he showed as a rookie.
Cooper’s ability to contribute as a run defender, pass rusher, and coverage linebacker gives Green Bay flexibility in how it deploys him. His Week 15 performance against the Seattle Seahawks demonstrated his ceiling when healthy, and the team will look for more consistency throughout a full 17-game season.
With another offseason of development, Cooper is positioned to remain a central figure in the Packers’ defensive plans. His combination of youth, production, and recognition already earned as a rookie suggests continued growth, and 2025 will serve as an important step in establishing him as a long-term leader for the Green Bay defense.