Edgerrin Cooper Bio
Edgerrin Cooper 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, earning consensus All-American honors in 2023, and was selected by the Packers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 229 pounds, Cooper has quickly established himself as a young defensive standout in the league.
Early Life and Background
Edgerrin Cooper was born on November 17, 2001, in Covington, Louisiana, in the United States. He grew up in his hometown and attended Covington High School, where he developed into a highly regarded linebacker prospect. His given name was inspired by Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James, a tribute that reflected the football culture of his family and community.
During his senior season at Covington, Cooper was a dominant defensive force, recording 118 tackles with 22 tackles for loss, two sacks, and five touchdowns on offense. His versatility and production drew attention from college recruiters across the country. After weighing his options, Cooper committed to play college football for the Texas A&M Aggies of the Southeastern Conference.
Path to American Football
Cooper arrived at Texas A&M in 2020, a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared in two games and recorded two tackles, gaining early experience within the Aggies’ defensive system. The limited action did little to slow his development, as he used the small sample size as preparation for a larger role.
His breakout came in 2021, when Cooper posted 58 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, half a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception. That production earned him a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, validating his reputation as a high-upside defender. By his sophomore season, he had become a regular contributor and a player the Aggies could build their defensive front around.
Edgerrin Cooper Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Cooper’s college trajectory built steadily across his first three seasons in College Station, Texas. In 2022, he finished with 61 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble. He closed the year with a fumble forced during Texas A&M’s win over LSU in the season finale, capping a strong all-around campaign.
By the end of the 2022 season, Cooper had proven himself as one of the most productive linebackers in the SEC. His combination of range, instincts, and physicality made him a centerpiece of the Aggies defense. The foundation he built over those three seasons positioned him for a dominant final collegiate year.
Texas A&M Breakthrough (2023)
Cooper returned to the Aggies for the 2023 season as one of the team’s top defenders and delivered the most impressive campaign of his college career. He produced 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles, ranking among the conference leaders in multiple categories. His performance against Alabama, where he tallied 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks, was a defining moment.
For his efforts in 2023, Cooper was named a consensus All-American and a First-team All-SEC selection. Those honors placed him among the most decorated linebackers in Texas A&M history and helped cement his status as a top NFL prospect. He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the season, ending his college career on a high note.
Green Bay Packers Era (2024–Present)
The Green Bay Packers selected Cooper with the 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft. He signed his rookie contract on May 23, 2024, and began his professional career at linebacker. Wearing jersey number 56, Cooper joined a young Packers defense in the midst of a transition under new leadership.
Cooper made an immediate impact during his rookie season. In his first start, he was named Week 8 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 posted seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two pass deflections, and an interception off backup quarterback Sam Howell, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for a second time.
He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team at the end of the 2024 season, capping a debut year that exceeded expectations. Through the 2025 season, Cooper had accumulated 205 total tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and one interception, establishing himself as a foundational piece of the Packers’ defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper is known for his sideline-to-sideline range, instincts against the run, and pass-rushing ability from the linebacker position. His combination of speed, tackling reliability, and coverage awareness has translated well to the NFL level. Pairing athletic upside with a physical playing style, he projects as a long-term starter and defensive leader in Green Bay.
Notable Events and Milestones
Cooper’s two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards in his rookie year stand out as signature early milestones. He also earned consensus All-American and First-team All-SEC honors in 2023, the first such accolades of his football career. His selection as the 45th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft remains the defining moment of his rise to the professional ranks.
Edgerrin Cooper Career Wins
As a linebacker, Cooper’s career is measured less in traditional wins and more in statistical production, individual awards, and team defensive success. Through his first NFL season and into 2025, he has accumulated 205 total tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and one interception. Those numbers, paired with two NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, reflect a productive and award-winning start.
Green Bay Packers Highlights
Cooper’s first NFL win as a starter came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8 of the 2024 season, a 30–27 victory in which he delivered one of the most complete performances of his rookie year. He later added a 30–13 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, sealing the result with a late interception off Sam Howell. Those performances helped anchor a Packers defense that featured him as a weekly contributor throughout his debut campaign.
Other Wins & Performances
Cooper’s college career included a memorable win over LSU in the 2022 season finale, a game in which he forced a fumble to help Texas A&M close the year on a positive note. His 2023 All-American campaign included a signature performance against Alabama, where he racked up 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and three sacks. Together, those performances illustrate his ability to deliver in high-profile matchups.
Edgerrin Cooper Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Edgerrin Cooper grew up in Covington, Louisiana, in a community with deep football roots. His given name reflects the family’s admiration for Edgerrin James, the former Indianapolis Colts star running back, suggesting a household connected to the sport. That family influence helped shape his path from youth football to the NFL.
Personal Life
Cooper maintains an active presence on social media, where he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @edgerrincooper1. He is focused on his professional football career with the Green Bay Packers, where he continues to build his reputation as one of the NFL’s promising young linebackers.
2025 Season Performance
Edgerrin Cooper entered the 2025 NFL season coming off a productive rookie campaign that earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Building on his two NFC Defensive Player of the Week awards, he continued to handle a starting role in the Packers’ defense and remained a focal point of their game plans.
His statistical production through the 2025 season reflects steady growth, with 205 total tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, eight pass deflections, and one interception. Cooper’s ability to impact the game in multiple phases, from run defense to pass coverage, has kept him on the field in critical situations.
Looking ahead, Cooper is positioned as a long-term building block for the Green Bay Packers’ defense. With another offseason of development and a clear role within the team, he is expected to remain a weekly contributor and continue adding to his growing list of accolades in the seasons to come.
