Ryan Cooper Jr. Bio
Ryan “Bump” Cooper Jr. is an American professional football cornerback who was born on August 31, 2001, in Palo Alto, California. He played college football at the College of San Mateo, where he showcased his skills over three seasons and earned a transfer to Oregon State for the subsequent years. After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper began his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens, eventually joining multiple teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets, where he continues to strive to make an impact on the field.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Cooper Jr. grew up in Palo Alto, California, a city known for its strong high school athletics programs and proximity to the heart of Silicon Valley. He attended Adrian Wilcox High School, where he began developing the cornerback skills that would eventually carry him to the professional level. Standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing roughly 190 pounds, Cooper combined physical toughness with the kind of instincts that college recruiters look for in a defensive back.
Coming from a family with a clear football lineage, Cooper was exposed to the game at a young age. Two of his cousins, Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, have both played in the NFL. Rejzohn Wright is a cornerback with the New Orleans Saints, and Nahshon Wright plays cornerback for the Chicago Bears. That family connection helped motivate Cooper as he worked his way through the high school ranks in Northern California.
Path to American Football
After completing his prep career at Adrian Wilcox High School, Cooper took the junior college route and joined the College of San Mateo. During his three-year career at San Mateo from 2019 through 2021, he played in 22 games, notching 47 tackles and four interceptions. His consistent production in the defensive backfield helped him attract attention from Division I programs looking for experienced, battle-tested cornerbacks.
Cooper decided to commit to play Division I college football for the Oregon State Beavers. During his two-year career with the Beavers in 2022 and 2023, he appeared in 23 games and totaled 82 tackles, with five tackles for a loss, a sack and a half, 18 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a touchdown. Those numbers demonstrated his ability to make plays on the ball and set the stage for his move to the next level.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Cooper’s early career unfolded at the College of San Mateo, where he used three seasons to refine his coverage skills and build the kind of physical profile that translates to higher levels of football. Playing in 22 games for the Bulldogs, he recorded 47 tackles and four interceptions, giving him a sturdy foundation before transferring up to the Pac-12 Conference.
His time at Oregon State elevated his visibility among NFL scouts. Across 23 games in 2022 and 2023, Cooper put together 82 tackles, 18 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a defensive touchdown. The combination of ball production and tackling reliability made him an intriguing prospect, even though he did not hear his name called during draft weekend.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. On August 27, 2024, he was released during final roster cuts but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day. He continued to develop on the practice squad until Week 8, when Cooper made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns after being elevated for the game. He was released by the Ravens on November 19, 2024, but had already shown enough to attract interest elsewhere.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–2025)
On November 26, 2024, Cooper was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, giving him a fresh opportunity to compete at the professional level. He signed a reserve/future contract with Seattle on January 6, 2025, a move that reflected the organization’s confidence in his long-term potential. Cooper was waived by the Seahawks on February 21, 2025, ending his short but productive stint with the team.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025)
On February 24, 2025, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins, adding another chapter to his whirlwind professional journey. He was waived on May 8 before being re-signed on May 27, showing that the Dolphins valued his versatility in the secondary. Cooper was ultimately waived on July 26, 2025, as the team shaped its roster for the regular season.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On July 27, 2025, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets, his fourth NFL organization in less than two years. On August 26, he was waived with an injury settlement by the Jets as part of final roster cuts, marking another transition point in his young career. Even so, Cooper’s ability to move between teams and remain on professional rosters speaks to the respect he has earned from coaching staffs around the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper plays the cornerback position with a physical, press-coverage approach that mirrors the style often seen at Oregon State under defensive coordinator schemes that emphasize tight man coverage. His four interceptions and 18 pass deflections during his Beavers career highlight his knack for disrupting the passing game, while his willingness to support the run shows up in 82 career tackles at the collegiate level. Cooper’s combination of instincts, length, and competitiveness makes him a developmental asset for teams seeking depth in the secondary.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Cooper’s career came in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL season, when he made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns after being elevated from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. He has also achieved the milestone of signing reserve/future contracts with multiple franchises, a sign of long-term organizational interest. His family connection, with cousins Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright both playing in the NFL, adds another notable storyline to his professional journey.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Career Wins
As a defensive player, Ryan Cooper Jr.’s career is measured less by wins and more by statistical production in coverage and tackling. Across his college stops at San Mateo and Oregon State, he totaled 129 tackles, 22 pass deflections, eight interceptions, and a touchdown. At the professional level, he has continued to focus on earning roster spots and contributing on special teams and in the secondary.
College Highlights
Cooper’s first college stop came at the College of San Mateo, where he played 22 games across three seasons and notched 47 tackles along with four interceptions. His move to Oregon State brought greater visibility, as he added 82 tackles, 18 pass deflections, four interceptions, and a defensive touchdown across 23 games from 2022 through 2023. Those numbers reflect steady growth as he faced top-tier passing attacks week after week.
Other Performances
Beyond his college production, Cooper’s professional resume includes stints on the practice squads and active rosters of the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets. Each move has added experience and kept him in the mix for sustained NFL employment.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cooper comes from a family with a deep connection to football, particularly at the cornerback position. His cousins, Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, have both carved out NFL careers of their own. Rejzohn Wright is a cornerback with the New Orleans Saints, while Nahshon Wright lines up at cornerback for the Chicago Bears. That family pipeline has helped shape Cooper’s understanding of what it takes to play at the highest level.
Personal Life
Off the field, Cooper keeps a relatively low public profile, focusing much of his energy on training and competing. He maintains an active presence on social media under the handle associated with his nickname “Bump.” While details about his romantic life or children are not publicly available, his commitment to football remains the defining feature of his early adulthood.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a year of transition for Ryan Cooper Jr., as he has navigated four NFL organizations in the span of a few months. He began the calendar year by signing a reserve/future contract with the Seattle Seahawks on January 6, only to be waived on February 21. Cooper was then claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on February 24, waived again on May 8, re-signed on May 27, and waived a final time on July 26 as the Dolphins trimmed their roster ahead of training camp.
Just one day later, on July 27, the New York Jets claimed Cooper off waivers, giving him another opportunity to compete for a defensive role. On August 26, he was waived with an injury settlement by the Jets as part of final roster cuts, ending his 2025 campaign with that organization. Even with the constant movement, Cooper’s pattern of earning reserve/future deals and practice-squad call-ups suggests that teams continue to value his skill set.
Looking ahead, Cooper remains an intriguing young cornerback with measurable production at the Division I level and a family lineage that includes multiple NFL players. His experience bouncing between the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets has given him insight into multiple defensive schemes and cultures. Whether he lands on another practice squad or earns a more permanent role, Cooper’s 2025 journey reflects the resilience required to survive and grow in today’s NFL.