Texas A&M Aggies LB Edgerrin Cooper Named Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist

Cooper leads the SEC in tackles for loss and ranks third in sacks.

COLLEGE STATION -- Another day, another moment of recognition for Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. 

Cooper was named a Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday morning. Cooper is one of 20 players up for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. 

Cooper led the Aggie defense for the fourth time through seven SEC games after matching his career high for the second time this season with 11 tackles in the 51-10 win over Mississippi State. Cooper leads the SEC and ranks eighth nationally in tackles for loss (16.0), while his 7.0 sacks are good for 24th in the country and tied for third-most in the SEC. 

A native of Covington, La., Cooper's 70 tackles are the most among all A&M players and seventh-most in the SEC. As a team, A&M leads the Power 5 in sacks (39.0) and tackles for loss (88.0), while boasting the best rushing defense (103.3) and the No. 2 passing defense (187.6 y/g) in the SEC.

Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) celebrates a tackle against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second quarter at Kyle Field / ©️ Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Semifinalist voting will begin on Wednesday, Nov. 14 and will close on Nov. 26. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 28 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. 

The winners of the 87th Maxwell Award and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. 

The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 87thMaxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024.

A&M, which dismissed sixth-year coach Jimbo Fisher Sunday morning, returns to Kyle Field for its Senior Day against Abilene Christian this Saturday at 11 a.m. Co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Elijah Robinson will serve as the interim coach for the final two games of the regular season and the Aggies' bowl game. 

The Aggies (6-4, 4-3 SEC) will close out the regular season in Baton Rouge against No. 19 LSU on Nov. 25. Kickoff time has yet to be determined.