Marcus Cooper

This article is about the athlete. For the rapper with the same name, see Pleasure P.
Marcus Cooper

Cooper with the Kansas City Chiefs
No. 31  Kansas City Chiefs
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Date of birth: February 1, 1990
Place of birth: Bloomfield, Connecticut[1]
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school: Bloomfield (CT)
College: Rutgers
NFL draft: 2013 / Round: 7 / Pick: 252
Career history
*Offseason, and/or practice squad member only
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2014
Tackles: 65
Interceptions: 3
Passes defensed: 21
Touchdowns: 1
Stats at NFL.com

Marcus Cooper (born February 1, 1990)[1] is an American football cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 7th round of the 2013 NFL Draft, with the 252nd overall pick.[2] He played college football for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Early years

Cooper attended Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, Connecticut, where he was a two-sport star in football and track. In football, he finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in receiving yards, touchdowns, receptions and consecutive games with a touchdown. He also ranks second in Connecticut history in career receiving yards (3,014), touchdown receptions (43) and consecutive games with a touchdown reception (13).

Also an standout track & field athlete, Cooper was a state qualifier in the 100 meters. At the 2008 Bloomfield Invitational, he took gold in the long jump, with a leap of 6.48 meters (21 ft, 1 in), while also earning second-place finishes in both the 100-meter dash (10.79 s) and the high jump (2.04 m) events.[3] In addition, he also ran the 55-meter dash in 6.47 seconds and clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash.

College career

Cooper played all four years for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, but saw limited playing time as a starter during his first two seasons as a Wide Receiver. He switched to Cornerback in his final year at Rutgers and his playing time increased immensely along with his production, leading many draft experts to speculate that he would be a mid-late NFL draft pick.

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

On April 27, Cooper was drafted in seventh round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers with the 252nd overall selection. On May 10, 2013 it was announced that Cooper had signed a four-year contract with the 49ers. Cooper was then cut by the 49ers in their final roster cuts before the beginning of the 2013 regular season.[4]

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs claimed Cooper off waivers right after the deadline to reach 53 players in 2013 and added him to their active roster.[5] Upon a minor injury to CB Brandon Flowers, Cooper played extensively against the NY Giants on 9/29/13.[6] Against the Tennessee Titans he also earned significant playing time, recovering a fumble in the endzone for a Chiefs' touchdown in the first quarter. He won the Mack Lee award at the end of the 2013 season for being the most productive rookie in the Kansas City Chiefs roster.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Rutgers Scarlet Knights Roster 2010". Sporting News. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  2. ↑ "Marcus Cooper Draft Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
  3. ↑ http://mysportsresults.com/Results/Out2008/BlmfldInv08.html
  4. ↑ "49ers Sign Five Draft Picks". 49ers.com. Retrieved 2013-05-10.
  5. ↑ http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/9/1/4684182/kansas-city-chiefs-waiver-wire-claim-roster-cuts. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/10/2/4794440/marcus-cooper-kansas-city-chiefs-one-completed-pass-coverage-new-york-giants. Retrieved 2013-10-02. Missing or empty |title= (help)