Honors & Awards
- Academic All-Big Ten (2011)
- Big 12 Commissioner's Spring Academic Honor Roll (2011)
Corey Cooper has played a significant role the past two seasons as a reserve defensive back and special teams contributor. He also earned extensive playing time in a nickel and dime role in the Nebraska defense.
This spring the 6-1, 210-pound Cooper is competing for a starting safety job as Nebraska must replace starters Daimion Stafford and P.J. Smith from the 2012 defense. Cooper has good size to provide run support from the safety spot, and he also has shown his coverage skills in his work the past two seasons.
2012 (Sophomore)
Cooper played in all 14 games with starts against Idaho State, Northwestern and Georgia. Cooper saw his most extensive action in a nickel or dime role, while adding depth at safety. He finished the season with 17 tackles, including eight solo stops. Cooper had a seven-yard tackle for loss against Southern Miss and shared a sack against Idaho State. Cooper had a career-high four tackles against both UCLA and Arkansas State, and he added two tackles each against Northwestern and Iowa.
2011 (Redshirt Freshman)
Cooper played in 11 games, including a start at cornerback in NU's win over Wyoming. He finished with nine tackles, including eight solo stops. Cooper had three unassisted tackles at Wyoming and also had two tackles against both Chattanooga and Washington.
2010 (Redshirt)
Cooper redshirted and made a strong impression for his scout team work.
Before Nebraska (Proviso East HS)
The 6-1, 205-pound Cooper was a dominant presence in the Proviso East defensive backfield, making about 70 tackles, while breaking up 16 passes and adding two interceptions. Offensively, Cooper was a dangerous receiver, pulling down 43 catches for 852 yards and nine touchdowns for Coach Aaron Peppers. Cooper earned West Suburban all-conference honors and was a Chicago Tribune first-team all-state selection.
As a junior, Cooper helped his team to an 8-3 record and a trip to the second round of the state playoffs. From his defensive back spot, he had 61 tackles, 14 pass breakups, an interception and forced three fumbles. Offensively, he caught 41 passes for 814 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also a two-way starter as a sophomore when he caught 35 passes for 500 yards and four touchdowns.
Cooper also competed in basketball and track for Proviso East. He was regarded as the fourth-best prospect in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com, which ranked him among the nation's top 20 safety prospects. Scout.com listed him among the top dozen safeties in the country and the top 125 overall players in the country, while SuperPrep ranked him among the top five players in Illinois and top 20 players in the Midwest region.
Cooper chose Nebraska after also visiting Arizona, Illinois and Notre Dame.
Personal
Corey is the son of Corey Sr. and Rose Cooper and was born on July 2, 1992. He is majoring in ethnic studies, and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2011. Cooper has volunteered his time with Husker Heroes and with team hospital visits.
Cooper's Career Statistics
| |
.
|
Tackles
|
.
|
.
|
Fum.
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
QB
|
|
Year
|
G/S
|
UT
|
AT
|
TT
|
TFL
|
Sacks
|
C-R
|
BK
|
PBU
|
PI
|
Hry.
|
| 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Redshirt |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2011 |
11/1 |
8 |
1 |
9 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0-0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2012 |
14/3 |
8 |
9 |
17 |
1.5-8 |
0.5-1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals
|
25/4
|
16
|
10
|
26
|
1.5-8
|
0.5-1
|
0-0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Single-Game Highs
» Tackles - 4 twice (at UCLA, vs. Arkansas State both in 2012)
» Solo Tackles - 3 at Wyoming (2011)
|
