Projecting Whether Texas A&M Football Upperclassmen Stay or Go

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Sep 23, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (45) sacks Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports /

Would Edgerrin Cooper Stick Around with Texas A&M Football to Build on Breakout Season?

Coop has really jumped into the national spotlight with his amazing play this year (despite being snubbed for the Butkus). His 17 TFLs on the season are among the nation’s leaders, having him tied for 8th in the country. He’s also notched one of the highest sack numbers for a linebacker in the whole sport, with 8.

A lot of this likely has to do with Durkin taking over as linebackers coach. He has a background as one of the top guys at the position in the country, despite having been a DC for so long. With Durkin’s imminent departure, is Elko’s presence enough to keep Coop from entering the NFL draft?

My gut feeling is that Coop is ready to make his move to the pros. Elko’s one-gap scheme is a little less suited to high levels of production at the linebacker position, though another year of development for a player who is undoubtedly one of the best at the position could arguably overcome that. As some may remember, too, Cooper briefly flirted with the portal in this past offseason before ultimately deciding to stick in Aggieland. I see him moving along to the draft, where he is likely to go somewhere in day 2.