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Aggies LB Edgerrin Cooper Named AFCA First Team All-American

Originally posted on FanNation All Aggies | By Timm Hamm | Last updated 12/14/23

On the heels of numerous other honors like First Team All-American by the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Athletic and CBS Sports, and a Second Team All-American by the FWAA, Aggies linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was named as an American Football Coaches Association First Team All-American.

Cooper was also named by Pro Football Focus as its most valuable linebacker in all of college football with a 91.7 PFF grade to lead all FBS linebackers. He was also the only linebacker to earn 85-plus grades in run defense, coverage, and as a pass rusher.

Cooper and the Aggies' defense ranked No. 7 among Power 5 teams in total defense, and top three in total tackles for loss and sacks as a team. Individually, Cooper ranked No. 5 in Power 5 players with 17.0 tackles for loss, which also led the SEC. His 84 total tackles were No. 6 in the SEC while his eight sacks ranked him No. 4 in the league.

Cooper was a four-star prospect out of Covington, Louisiana, per On3 for the class of 2020. After originally committing to Oklahoma, he re-opened his recruitment three weeks before the Early Signing Period and announced his commitment to the Aggies during the 2020 All-Amerian Bowl. He was signed, but A&M didn't share the signing until Cooper made his announcement on national television.

Last season, Cooper ranked fifth on the team with 61 tackles and 33 solo and led the defense with eight tackles for loss. He also added one interception, five pass breakups, and five quarterback hurries to this stat sheet for 2022.

This article first appeared on FanNation All Aggies and was syndicated with permission.

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