Texas A&M Aggies LB Edgerrin Cooper Named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week

As the Texas A&M Aggies prepare for their matchup with the Rebels, a defensive player is attracting some national attention.

As the Texas A&M Aggies prepare for their matchup with the Rebels, a defensive player is attracting some national attention.

Already recognized by Pro Football Focus with the highest grade at his position (86.7 by PFF College), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week for Week 9.

Against South Carolina, Cooper led the Aggies with seven tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss and a sack in A&M’s 30-17 win over the Gamecocks. It’s the third time he's led the Aggies in tackles and is the first time he has picked up DPoW honors.

“Just me getting comfortable with the strategy of our game and the playbook,” Cooper said after Saturday’s win. “Right now I'm at the point where I just feel like I'm able to just relax and see the everything and just compete and do what I need to do. That's really it and all there is to it.” 

While the Ole Miss offense has faced a number of stout defenses this season, they will be facing an absolute juggernaut in defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin's scheme. That 4-2-5 setup utilizes a linebacker on the outside of the three down linemen that keeps the offense guessing.

Cooper makes matters worse with his athleticism and strength.

This is Cooper's fourth season with the Aggies, and he's on pace for quite a year. He's already registered a career-high in sacks with 7 and also has two forced fumbles to his name. Cooper also leads his team in total tackles with 52 and is tied for first in assists with 23. His 29 solo tackles rank second.

Since arriving at A&M for the 2020 season, the junior Covington, Louisiana native has 173 total tackles with 101 solo. He's also registered seven passes defended and 7.5 sacks. He's added two interceptions and two forced fumbles in his three-plus seasons in College Station.

Ole Miss will already have a tough go of it on Saturday but add in the Aggies' formidable linebacker corps, and the Rebels' offense could have trouble moving the ball and scoring.

The Aggies and Rebels meet at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN.