As Western Pennsylvania builds in anticipation for the NFL Draft’s return to the Steel City for the first time in nearly 80 years, one local prospect is awaiting the opportunity to strap on the pads at the highest level.
Few players are better to represent Slippery Rock University on the national stage than Joe Cooper, not just for his abilities on the field, but also for his character off it.
The six-foot-six offensive lineman flew under the radar as a recruit coming out of Bermudian Springs High School in East Berlin, Pa. There, he lettered in both track and field and football, where he served as a two-year starter on both offense and defense.
Although few major college programs gave Cooper a chance, head coach Shawn Lutz and Slippery Rock saw the raw talent others overlooked.
When Cooper put pen to paper a little over six years ago, Lutz claimed that Cooper “[had] huge upside and potential to be one of our top offensive linemen in his career,” a claim that has aged remarkably well.
After redshirting his freshman campaign and seeing limited action the following year, Cooper hit the ground running in 2023, starting in 38 games over the next three seasons and never looking back.
Despite the negatives often associated with Division II athletes at the professional level, Cooper views his loyalty and commitment to Slippery Rock as one of his defining strengths.
“Slippery Rock wanted me as a raw prospect out of high school. They poured blood, sweat and tears into me to develop me into the player and man I am today,” Cooper said.
In an era dominated by the transfer portal and NIL opportunities, Cooper turned down offers from Power Four programs to remain loyal to SRU, returning for his senior year.
“These other schools didn’t care for me six years ago. They just wanted to buy me out and take me away from Slippery Rock, I felt like it was wrong,” said Cooper.
Despite the team falling short of the preseason expectations placed upon the program, Cooper built upon his already-impressive collegiate career in his senior campaign.
“I would go back and make the same decision ten times over again,” he said.
By the time he played his final snap in white and green colors, Cooper racked up numerous accolades, including being named a consensus All-American, an Upshaw Award Finalist, first team all-region, and all-PSAC West honors in his senior campaign alone.
“Coach [Joe] Marella and I have a great relationship. He was a strength coach for a couple years, and I feel like I became more athletic and stronger in the years he was there.” Cooper continued, “Coach [Chris] Conrad developed me as a pure football player, being my position coach for every year I was there.”
With how much of an impact both coaches had on Cooper’s development, he says it is difficult to credit just one to his success:
“I can’t really pick between the two, but I think both of them have done a really good job helping me grow into who I am today.”
It was that growth that earned Cooper an invite to one of college football’s most prestigious showcases.
On Jan. 7, 149 athletes from around the nation suited up for the Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas. Among helmets from powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Michigan and Penn State stood a familiar white helmet marked with a green “S” and “Cooper” taped over top.
“I tried to say in every interview I had while I was down there that the difference [between Division II and Division I] isn’t as large as people think it is,” he said.
Cooper, the only participant not from a Division I program, quickly drew attention from the pro scouts.
“I just went out there and did what I had to do: prove that I can compete with the higher level of players.”
Scouts have praised Cooper’s size, quickness and balance as key strengths during the process. His hand placement and awareness have also been noted as traits that should translate well at the next level.
Now, he aims to become the first Slippery Rock player selected in the NFL Draft since fellow offensive lineman Brandon Fusco was taken in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2011.
The most recent SRU graduates to appear on an NFL field were Cooper’s former teammates Kyle Sheets and Henry Litwin, who saw preseason action with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears, respectively.
“I’m not the first, but I am the most recent to prove that you don’t need to go to the biggest school to get an opportunity to play professionally. Before me, there was Kyle Sheets, and Henry [Litwin] before him. There’s a long line of professional football players who came from Slippery Rock,” he said.
Since the bowl, Cooper has continued his intense training schedule.
“I was in Atlanta for three months, and that was just pure training every day,” Cooper said. “Every day since March, it’s pretty much been: waking up, training, going home, eating, taking a shower, sleeping, then do it again the next day. You’ve got to make sure that you’re in the best shape possible going into camp.”
Unsurprisingly, one of Cooper’s most significant traits is his determination, something he says separates him amongst the thousands of other players hoping to get their name called outside of Acrisure Stadium.
“I’m an extremely hard worker. I want to learn every single little detail about the playbook as soon as I can, and just kind of be a sponge while I’m there and learn everything I can,” Cooper continued, “They’re coaching at the highest level, they know more than I do.”
The NFL Draft will conclude on Saturday, April 2, after which teams are able to sign the remaining undrafted free agents.
Although it’s uncertain whether or not his name will be called this weekend, Cooper has built his career on proving the doubters wrong, and there’s little reason to think that will change now.
