Joe Cooper has had Power 4 schools and NFL scouts knocking. But he ‘owes’ SRU football a NCAA championship
Brandon Ross works on leg work during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton demonstrates blocking during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Brandon Ross catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ethan Trettel catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Ethan Trettel catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Potential quarterback David Bahm catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Head coach Shawn Lutz takes a drink during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Coach Razzano works with Jason Gillespie during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton talks with a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton watches the players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Joe Cooper takes a break to watch other drills during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton throws the ball to a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton throws the ball to a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Head coach Shawn Lutz works with a players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Assistant coach Lisa Horton demonstrates proper leg work during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Head coach Shawn Lutz works with a players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Brandon Ross works on leg work during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton demonstrates blocking during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Brandon Ross catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ethan Trettel catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ethan Trettel catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Potential quarterback David Bahm catches the ball during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Head coach Shawn Lutz takes a drink during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Coach Razzano works with Jason Gillespie during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton talks with a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton watches the players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Joe Cooper takes a break to watch other drills during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton throws the ball to a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton throws the ball to a player during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Head coach Shawn Lutz works with a players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Assistant coach Lisa Horton demonstrates proper leg work during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Head coach Shawn Lutz works with a players during practice as the Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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The Slippery Rock University football team held their first day of practice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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SLIPPERY ROCK — Division I teams were calling, but Joe Cooper wasn’t going.
Slippery Rock University football’s 6-foot-7, 320-pound left tackle decided to stay put.
“This is my sixth year here because of the COVID year,” Cooper said. “I want to finish what I started. I feel like I owe this university a national championship.”
Illinois, Iowa State, Pitt and Mississippi were among the big schools offering Cooper, now a senior, NIL money to leave The Rock. He paid a visit to Western Michigan, as a former SRU coach is on staff there.
There’s a reason why major colleges wanted him. NFL teams have interest in him as well. Two days into August training camp, the 49ers, Colts and Giants were already on campus to scout Cooper.
“You can’t coach 6-7, 320,” SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said. “There’s a lot of big guys out there, but his athleticism stands out. I don’t think he gave up a sack all of last season.
“He’s so quick and nimble with his feet. That guy definitely has a shot at getting drafted next spring. He’s got it all going for him.”
“He already has the frame of an NFL lineman,” SRU offensive line coach and former Pittsburgh Steeler lineman Chris Conrad said. “Joe has work to do yet, but he’s definitely on that track. He was looking at some six-figure offers from bigger schools and had to check those options out. In the end, he’s a shark in a pond here. He’d be a fish in the sea there.
“NFL scouts come in here and he gets one-on-one time with them. They get to know him as a person and that’s a big plus. All it takes is one team to take an interest in you.”
Slippery Rock University football offensive tackle Joe Cooper takes a break to watch other drills during the first day of practice Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at Slippery Rock University's Mihalik-Thompson Stadium. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Cooper has started all 28 games for The Rock over the past two seasons. He started 14 games at right tackle in 2023 and 14 games at left tackle last season. He’s slated to play left tackle again this season.
He was also elected as a captain by his teammates this season after falling short of that honor by one vote last year.
“It means the world to me,” Cooper said of being named captain. “It’s a big leadership thing, and with my teammates electing me, I know they view me that way. I want to live up to that.”
Cooper was first team All-Super Region One and All-PSAC last season. He was second team All-American. He is one of only two players from the region — Virginia State offensive tackle Bruno Onquazor is the other — to make the watch list for the East-West Shrine Game.
That game, with teams instructed by NFL coaches, takes place Jan. 27 in Frisco, Texas.
“There’s not much recognition out there for offensive linemen,” Conrad said. “We’re silent workers, just out there to make the offense go. But Joe has been getting plenty of honors, and he’s earned them.
“When he first got here, I thought he was a bit lazy. He’s worked himself into being a great player. At first, we want linemen to be speed bumps. Just get in somebody’s way. Some develop into being able to dominate people. That’s Joe Cooper.”
“I was a raw player when I first got here,” Cooper said. “It took me a while to understand the standard at SRU. I had to work to get better.”
Again, Cooper is entrusted with protecting the quarterback’s blind side.
“Next to quarterback, that’s one of the highest paid positions in the NFL,” Lutz said.
Majoring in physical activity/fitness management, Cooper makes no secret as to his ultimate goal.
“Since I was 3, playing Pop Warner ball, I’ve dreamed of playing in the NFL,” he said. “Of course, that dream doesn’t become a real possibility until you get into the position I’m in right now.
“I’m working to get there ... but we have a lot of work to do here first.”
