Chris Cooper (safety)

Chris Cooper (born March 17, 1994) is an American football safety for the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL. He played college football at Stony Brook.

Chris Cooper
No. 39 – St. Louis Battlehawks
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1994-03-17) March 17, 1994
Mount Vernon, New York, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Iona Prep (New Rochelle)
College:Stony Brook
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • Second-team All-CAA (2017)
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life and high school

Cooper was born in Mount Vernon, New York. After his freshman year of high school, he transferred from Mount Vernon High School, known more as a basketball powerhouse, to Iona Prep in order to focus more on developing his football skills. In his senior season at Iona Prep, he was named first-team all-state and first-team All-CHSAA (Catholic High School Athletic Association).[1]

In the summer of 2013, after his senior year of high school, Cooper was badly injured while doing construction work after a large iron water pipe rolled off a shelf and struck him in the head, back and leg. He required eight staples and broke two bones in his leg. Cooper, who planned to attend Proctor Academy prep school in the fall to play football, instead had to undergo months of rehab. He took classes at Westchester Community College in the winter and played spring and fall football at ASA College in Brooklyn.[2]

College career

As a sophomore, Cooper transferred to Stony Brook prior to the 2015 season, joining fellow Iona Prep classmate Synceir Malone.[3] He played in nine games as a cornerback.[1][4] He was moved to strong safety before his junior season, starting all 11 games and finishing fifth on the team with 52 tackles.[5] Cooper began to generate NFL buzz in his senior season, starting as he recorded nine tackles against FBS South Florida and Heisman Trophy candidate Quinton Flowers in Stony Brook's season opener. He finished the season fourth on the team with 81 tackles as well as recording an interception.[2] He was also named second-team All-Conference.[1]

Cooper began to earn more attention when he earned an invite to participate in the Tropical Bowl and ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash on Stony Brook's Pro Day, with 16 teams expressing interest in him.[2] He also completed 17 reps on the bench press and had a 35-inch vertical.[1]

Professional career

Indianapolis Colts

Cooper received multiple calls during the sixth and seventh rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, but was ultimately undrafted. After the draft, he was offered free agent contracts by the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins and Indianapolis Colts. Cooper ultimately signed with the Colts because he believed his chances of making the 53-man roster were highest there.[2] He recorded three tackles in preseason before suffering a concussion in the final game.[6] He was placed on injured reserve and released in September.[7]

Cincinnati Bengals

Cooper signed to the Bengals' practice squad on December 18, 2018.[8] His practice squad contract expired on January 7, 2019.[9]

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 8, 2019, Cooper signed to the Chiefs' practice squad for the postseason.[10]

Atlanta Falcons

On April 12, 2019, Cooper signed a two-year, $1.08 million contract with the Falcons.[11] In the preseason, he recorded 14 tackles. He was waived on August 31 but signed to the team's practice squad. Cooper was promoted to the active 53-man roster for the Falcons' season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[12][13] Cooper was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on August 9, 2020 and activated on August 11.[14][15] The Falcons released Cooper during final roster cuts on September 5.[16]

Denver Broncos

Cooper signed to the Broncos' practice squad on October 13, 2020.[17] In January, he re-signed with the Broncos on a reserve/futures contract but was released on June 8, 2021 after the Broncos signed Peter Kalambayi.[18]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cooper signed with the Buccaneers on July 25, 2021.[19] He made the final 53-man roster after impressing in preseason on special teams.[20][21] He was waived on September 10, 2021[22] and signed to the practice squad three days later.[23] He was released on December 28. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Buccaneers on February 3, 2022.[24]

On August 30, 2022, Cooper was waived by the Buccaneers.[25]

St. Louis BattleHawks

The St. Louis BattleHawks selected Cooper in the seventh round of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft on January 1, 2023.[26]

References
  1. Szkolar, Adrian Szkolar and Adrian. "NFL: Mount Vernon native, Iona Prep grad Chris Cooper signs with Indianapolis Colts". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  2. Thomson, Josh. "Football: How Chris Cooper persevered to earn NFL shot with Colts". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  3. Thomson, Josh. "Stepinac, Iona Prep football busy on Signing Day". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  4. "Chris Cooper - Football". Stony Brook University Athletics. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  5. Tam, Ethan (2019-04-21). "Football alumnus Chris Cooper inks deal with Atlanta Falcons". The Statesman. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  6. "Colts' Chris Cooper: Enters concussion protocol". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  7. "Colts' Chris Cooper: Reverts to IR". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  8. "Bengals Make Three Player Moves". www.bengals.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  9. "The Official Site of the Cincinnati Bengals". www.bengals.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  10. "Chiefs add former Colts DB Chris Cooper to practice squad". Kansas City Chiefs. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  11. "Falcons sign Chris Cooper to a two-year contract". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  12. "Falcons' Chris Cooper: Called up to 53-man roster". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  13. Szkolar, Adrian. "Chris Cooper, Iona Prep grad, added to Atlanta Falcons' 53-man roster". The Journal News. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  14. "Falcons place S Chris Cooper on reserve/COVID-19 list". Falcons Wire. 2020-08-09. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  15. "Falcons activate Chris Cooper from reserve/COVID-19 list, waive Hunter Atkinson". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  16. "Falcons make final cuts to set 53-man roster for opener". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  17. "Broncos sign DB Chris Cooper to practice squad". www.denverbroncos.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  18. Kelberman, Zack. "Broncos Cut Defensive Back Before OTA Practice". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  19. "Buccaneers sign Chris Cooper". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  20. "Bucs' Initial 2021 53-Man Roster Includes Just 10 Newcomers". www.buccaneers.com. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  21. "Top takeaways from Bucs' initial 53-man roster". Bucs Wire. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-01.
  22. Smith, Scott (September 10, 2021). "Bucs Waive Safety Chris Cooper". Buccaneers.com.
  23. Smith, Scott (September 13, 2021). "Bucs Promote Andrew Adams, Put Two on IR". Buccaneers.com.
  24. Smith, Scott (February 3, 2022). "Bucs Re-Sign Safety Chris Cooper". Buccaneers.com.
  25. Smith, Scott (August 30, 2022). "Tyler Johnson Among Cuts as Bucs Get to 53". Buccaneers.com.
  26. "Supplemental Draft Picks 2023". XFL.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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