Indiana University Athletics
Together Again – IU’s Passmore and Cooper Have Winning in Mind
6/25/2019 1:30:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For freshmen Jeramy Passmore and Gary Cooper, it's always been about winning.
Why not?
They've done plenty of it in high school, and aim to do plenty more for Indiana.
"This is a special program and it's coming up," says Passmore, a 6-3, 270-pound defensive lineman. "It's been on the rise for the last couple of years.
"I always wanted to be a part of something great, something bigger than myself."
Passmore and Cooper, a 6-2, 235-pound tight end, were teammates at Miami's Christopher Columbus High School. They were big reasons why the school reached the 2018 Florida state title game.
The goal is to help the Hoosiers, who haven't had a winning season since 2007, become a bowl team for this season, and for years to come.
"I want to help set a new standard for a school," Passmore says. "That attracted me a little more to Indiana, knowing that I wanted to accomplish something great."
Consistency was a Passmore strength at Christopher Columbus. As a sophomore, he totaled 53 tackles, 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. As a junior, it was 75, 16 and 20. As a senior, it was 57, 10 and 13.
He was quick enough to blow past would-be blockers, athletic enough to play basketball. He was rated as the nation's No. 64 strong-side defensive end by 247Sports.
Like most freshmen, a big key to significant playing time this season is to make maximum summer impact in the weight room and during player-led workouts.
"I want to get bigger, faster and stronger," Passmore says. "Make sure I know the playbook to the fullest extent. Keep working hard. Keep my head down, make plays and see what happens."
As for what's fueled his football success, Passmore says, "I'm a technician. I use a lot of different, good techniques to the maximum extent. I work hard. I have a lot of good leadership ability. That sets me apart."
What sets Cooper apart?
"I think my route running stands out," he says. "I know I'm big, but I'm different. I run my routes like I'm skinny. People think I'm slow, but I'm fast. They'll be surprised at the stuff I can do."
IU looks to take full advantage of that "stuff," especially considering Cooper was rated as the nation's No. 13 hybrid tight end by ESPN. He also lettered in basketball and track at Christopher Columbus.
Cooper was drawn by the Hoosier offense devised by former offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, and then modified by new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer.
"I looked at Indiana offense for some time. I love the way they move the ball. I love the way they use their tight ends, the way use their tight ends to block, the route game. I love it a lot."
Love is boosted through a close group of tight ends, with the veterans giving plenty of helpful attention to their younger teammate.
"The older tight ends have been looking out for me, testing my form," Cooper says.
That includes as many as three days a week of extra playbook study time.
"We'll study the playbook together for like 30 minutes," Cooper says. "They'll tell me everything I need to know, where I need to be at. I do that a lot."
Traveling more than 1,000 miles to go to college isn't easy. Cooper and Passmore say doing it together has eased the transition.
"It helps so much," Cooper says. "I've known him for like five to six years. Just knowing that he's with me is way better. It's a relief. It would have been more stressful if I came up here by myself."
Adds Passmore: "He's like a brother to me. We feel like we're family. It's not like I'm leaving home because my family is still with me. It made it a lot smoother for me."
It helps that both are fierce competitors. Passmore says Cooper is a "dog" in terms of his relentless style of play. Cooper uses similar terms in describing Passmore.
It's all part of an Indiana recruiting upgrade that bodes well for this season, and beyond.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – For freshmen Jeramy Passmore and Gary Cooper, it's always been about winning.
Why not?
They've done plenty of it in high school, and aim to do plenty more for Indiana.
"This is a special program and it's coming up," says Passmore, a 6-3, 270-pound defensive lineman. "It's been on the rise for the last couple of years.
"I always wanted to be a part of something great, something bigger than myself."
Passmore and Cooper, a 6-2, 235-pound tight end, were teammates at Miami's Christopher Columbus High School. They were big reasons why the school reached the 2018 Florida state title game.
The goal is to help the Hoosiers, who haven't had a winning season since 2007, become a bowl team for this season, and for years to come.
"I want to help set a new standard for a school," Passmore says. "That attracted me a little more to Indiana, knowing that I wanted to accomplish something great."
Consistency was a Passmore strength at Christopher Columbus. As a sophomore, he totaled 53 tackles, 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. As a junior, it was 75, 16 and 20. As a senior, it was 57, 10 and 13.
He was quick enough to blow past would-be blockers, athletic enough to play basketball. He was rated as the nation's No. 64 strong-side defensive end by 247Sports.
Like most freshmen, a big key to significant playing time this season is to make maximum summer impact in the weight room and during player-led workouts.
"I want to get bigger, faster and stronger," Passmore says. "Make sure I know the playbook to the fullest extent. Keep working hard. Keep my head down, make plays and see what happens."
As for what's fueled his football success, Passmore says, "I'm a technician. I use a lot of different, good techniques to the maximum extent. I work hard. I have a lot of good leadership ability. That sets me apart."
What sets Cooper apart?
"I think my route running stands out," he says. "I know I'm big, but I'm different. I run my routes like I'm skinny. People think I'm slow, but I'm fast. They'll be surprised at the stuff I can do."
IU looks to take full advantage of that "stuff," especially considering Cooper was rated as the nation's No. 13 hybrid tight end by ESPN. He also lettered in basketball and track at Christopher Columbus.
Cooper was drawn by the Hoosier offense devised by former offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, and then modified by new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer.
"I looked at Indiana offense for some time. I love the way they move the ball. I love the way they use their tight ends, the way use their tight ends to block, the route game. I love it a lot."
Love is boosted through a close group of tight ends, with the veterans giving plenty of helpful attention to their younger teammate.
"The older tight ends have been looking out for me, testing my form," Cooper says.
That includes as many as three days a week of extra playbook study time.
"We'll study the playbook together for like 30 minutes," Cooper says. "They'll tell me everything I need to know, where I need to be at. I do that a lot."
Traveling more than 1,000 miles to go to college isn't easy. Cooper and Passmore say doing it together has eased the transition.
"It helps so much," Cooper says. "I've known him for like five to six years. Just knowing that he's with me is way better. It's a relief. It would have been more stressful if I came up here by myself."
Adds Passmore: "He's like a brother to me. We feel like we're family. It's not like I'm leaving home because my family is still with me. It made it a lot smoother for me."
It helps that both are fierce competitors. Passmore says Cooper is a "dog" in terms of his relentless style of play. Cooper uses similar terms in describing Passmore.
It's all part of an Indiana recruiting upgrade that bodes well for this season, and beyond.
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
DL
/ FootballFB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 11 (at Penn State)
Thursday, November 06
FB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (11/4/25_
Tuesday, November 04
FB: Isaiah Jones Media Availability (11/4/25)
Tuesday, November 04
FB: Week 11 (at Penn State) - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Monday, November 03