If Edgerrin Cooper had briefly lost focus, he might have mistaken the crowd’s chants for his name when he was selected as the No. 45 overall pick by the Green Bay Packers. However, as the team’s representative stepped up to the podium, it became evident that the Packers were not favored in the city of Detroit, likely due to the long-standing rivalry between the Lions and the Packers. This added an extra layer of excitement to Cooper’s introduction to the NFL.
The former Texas A&M Aggies linebacker had earned his way into the second round of the draft, showcasing his impressive combination of size and speed during his time at College Station. Throughout his college career, he accumulated 204 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Cooper’s mindset throughout it all was focused on executing his responsibilities.
“We were just doing our job,” Cooper remarked after a successful performance against the Auburn Tigers in the Aggies’ SEC opener. “That’s what coach always says. Don’t try to do anything extra. Just do your job. As long as you’re doing that, your plays will come to you.”
This approach made Cooper stand out at Texas A&M, and now he’s embarking on a journey to do the same in Green Bay. The Packers officially announced on Thursday that they have signed Cooper.
At 22 years old, Cooper possesses considerable talent, but he still has room to grow and gain experience before reaching veteran status—a fact that holds significance for Green Bay’s management.
