Texas A&M Aggies LB Edgerrin Cooper Named First Team CBSSports All-America
The Aggies may have had a disappointing season, but with the talent level on the roster, there were bound to be standout players being recognized this time of year. Four A&M football players - Ainias Smith, Edgerrin Cooper, Shemar Turner and Layden Robinson earned All-SEC accolades as the league announced postseason awards on Tuesday.
And on Wednesday, Cooper added a First Team CBSSPorts All-America honor.
Edgerrin Cooper
Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
Cooper proved to be an absolute beast last season, helping A&M to rank No. 7 among Power 5 teams in total defense. He tallied 84 total tackles and eight sacks and ranked No. 5 among all Power 5 players with 17 tackles for loss this season.
The Covington, Louisiana native has registered 204 total tackles with 111 solo, eight passes defended, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in four seasons in College Station.
Cooper was also named a Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist last month. Cooper is one of 20 players up for the award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The winners of the 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 SEC led all conferences with eight first-team and 17 total selections. Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Texas and Iowa each saw two players receive first-team selections. The Bulldogs, Longhorns and Missouri slotted next with four each.
Just three players received unanimous selections - Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt and Iowa punter Tory Taylor. Alt is the only repeat first-team nod from the 2022 All-America team. Along with Taylor, they are two of 10 players who were 2023 CBS Sports Preseason All-America first-team selections.
