Ryan Cooper Jr. Bio
Ryan “Bump” Cooper Jr. is an American professional football cornerback. Born on August 31, 2001, in Palo Alto, California, he currently plays for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 186 pounds, Cooper has built his career through hard work at the junior college level, major college competition, and a steady climb through several professional rosters.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper began his professional journey with the Baltimore Ravens before moving through the Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets organizations. His selection by the Birmingham Stallions added a new chapter, giving him an opportunity to compete for a championship in the spring football league. He is recognized for his cover skills, tackling, and ball production developed across multiple levels of the game.
Early Life and Background
Ryan Cooper Jr. was born and raised in Palo Alto, California, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up in a region with deep football tradition, he developed an early interest in the sport and began sharpening his abilities on local fields. His upbringing in the Bay Area exposed him to a competitive athletic culture that emphasized discipline and preparation.
He attended Adrian Wilcox High School in nearby Santa Clara, California, where he played cornerback and began attracting attention from college programs. His performances at Wilcox helped him earn a route into the college ranks, although his path led first to the junior college level rather than directly to a major Division I program. That decision shaped the steady, resilient mindset that would later define his professional trajectory.
Family has also played a meaningful role in Cooper’s football journey. Two of his cousins, Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, have both played in the NFL, giving him close examples of professional success to follow. Rejzohn has played cornerback with the New Orleans Saints, while Nahshon has lined up at cornerback for the Chicago Bears, providing a strong family blueprint for an NFL career.
Path to Professional Football
Following high school, Cooper committed to the College of San Mateo to continue his development. Over three seasons from 2019 through 2021, he appeared in 22 games, recording 47 tackles and four interceptions. That production at the junior college level helped him grow into a more polished and physical defensive back ready for the next challenge.
His performance at San Mateo opened the door to Division I football, and Cooper committed to the Oregon State Beavers. During his two seasons with Oregon State in 2022 and 2023, he played in 23 games and totaled 82 tackles, with five tackles for loss, one and a half sacks, 18 pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown. Those numbers showcased his ability to impact the game in coverage and as a run defender.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Cooper’s earliest notable football came at Adrian Wilcox High School in Santa Clara, California, where he first earned a reputation as a competitive cornerback. His high school work set the stage for his next step at the College of San Mateo, a respected junior college program. There, he became a reliable contributor on the defensive side of the ball across three seasons.
During his time at San Mateo, Cooper built the physical and technical foundation that would later support his transition to a Power conference program. His four interceptions and consistent tackling totals demonstrated a nose for the football and a willingness to compete against the pass. By the end of his junior college run, he had positioned himself as a transfer prospect for FBS programs.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Cooper made his move to the Pac-12 level by joining the Oregon State Beavers, where he quickly became a regular contributor in the secondary. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he appeared in 23 games and delivered a well-rounded statistical line, including 82 tackles, 18 pass deflections, and four interceptions. He also added a touchdown, showing the playmaking range that teams look for in modern cornerbacks.
His Oregon State tenure established him as a disciplined and productive cover corner, capable of holding up in man coverage and contributing in run support. The Beavers’ defensive scheme gave him chances to bait quarterbacks and break on the ball, and he produced takeaways in key moments. By the end of the 2023 season, Cooper had built a resume strong enough to pursue an NFL opportunity.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2024)
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent. He was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, but was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad the following day, keeping his NFL dream alive. That resilience paid off when he was elevated to the active roster for Week 8.
Cooper made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns, marking his first regular-season game action at the highest level. He appeared in one game for the Ravens before being released on November 19, 2024. Even in a short stint, his debut represented a major personal milestone and confirmed that he could compete on an NFL field.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–2025)
On November 26, 2024, Cooper was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, providing another opportunity to develop within an NFL organization. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Seahawks on January 6, 2025, signaling the team’s continued interest in his long-term potential. However, Seattle waived him on February 21 as it reshaped its roster for the offseason.
Miami Dolphins Era (2025)
Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on February 24, 2025, giving him yet another fresh start. The Dolphins waived him on May 8 before re-signing him on May 27, reflecting the constant evaluation process that defines the bottom of an NFL roster. He was eventually waived again on July 26, 2025, as the team made summer decisions.
New York Jets Era (2025)
On July 27, 2025, the New York Jets claimed Cooper off waivers, continuing his tour of NFL organizations. He was waived with an injury settlement by the Jets on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. Even with the release, his time with the Jets added another chapter of NFL experience and film for future opportunities.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2026–Present)
On January 14, 2025, Cooper was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League, the reigning powerhouse of spring professional football. The Stallions, known for their championship pedigree in the UFL, presented Cooper with a chance to compete for a title while continuing to grow as a player. His move to the UFL also gave him a prominent stage to showcase his skills in front of a national audience.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cooper plays a physical, opportunistic brand of cornerback built on quick recognition, sound tackling, and ball-hawking instincts. His college production at both San Mateo and Oregon State shows comfort in zone and man responsibilities, along with the willingness to support against the run. He has demonstrated the patience to read routes and the acceleration to close on throws, traits that translate well to professional football.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cooper’s career highlights is his NFL debut with the Baltimore Ravens against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8 of the 2024 season, the realization of a long-held professional goal. He also recorded 18 pass deflections across his Oregon State career, a strong indicator of his coverage impact. His selection by the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL ranks as another defining moment, offering him a chance to chase a spring league championship.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Career Wins
While Ryan Cooper Jr. is recognized primarily as a defensive player, his career milestones include statistical and team achievements rather than win totals in the traditional sense. He has registered four interceptions at the College of San Mateo and four more at Oregon State, giving him eight career interceptions in college. His 18 pass deflections and a defensive touchdown at Oregon State further illustrate his knack for changing games in the secondary.
College Highlights
Cooper’s most productive stretch came at Oregon State, where he posted 82 tackles, 18 pass deflections, four interceptions, and one touchdown across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He also contributed 47 tackles and four interceptions in 22 games at the College of San Mateo from 2019 through 2021. Those numbers reflect a player who consistently produced against both the run and the pass.
Other Performances
At the professional level, Cooper has appeared in one NFL game with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 season. His movement through multiple practice squads and active rosters with the Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets reflects the perseverance required to sustain a professional career. His selection by the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL adds a new competitive platform to his resume.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ryan Cooper Jr. comes from a family with deep roots in football. Two of his cousins, Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, have both played cornerback in the NFL, with Rejzohn suiting up for the New Orleans Saints and Nahshon playing for the Chicago Bears. That family connection to the professional game has helped shape his understanding of what it takes to compete at football’s highest level.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Cooper remains connected to his hometown of Palo Alto, California, and the Bay Area community that supported his early development. He has continued to pursue his professional goals despite several roster moves across the NFL and the UFL. His journey reflects a steady commitment to improvement, regardless of the uniform he wears.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of transition for Ryan Cooper Jr. as he moved between several NFL organizations. He signed a reserve or future contract with the Seattle Seahawks in January, was claimed by the Miami Dolphins in late February, and later landed with the New York Jets at the end of July. Each stop reflected a team interest in his coverage skills and special teams potential, even if his time on active rosters was limited.
Although he did not log regular-season statistics with the Dolphins or Jets, Cooper remained in professional shape and continued to refine his game throughout the year. His selection by the Birmingham Stallions in January 2025 also set the stage for a spring football opportunity following the NFL calendar. The combination of NFL experience and a UFL roster spot gave him multiple avenues to keep his career moving forward.
Looking ahead, Cooper’s outlook centers on carving out a longer-term role, whether by returning to an NFL roster or producing for the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL. His track record of bouncing back from each release speaks to a strong work ethic and adaptability. With continued health and consistent performance, he remains a defensive back to watch in the seasons to come.