Indiana University Athletics
Breaking Out -- Cooper Jr., McCulley Form Dynamic Receiving Tandem
9/13/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Receiver Omar Cooper Jr. wasn’t expecting this. Can you blame him? He went from zero catches and zero yards to a 100-yard receiving game faster than you can write his name in the Indiana football record books.
The result -- Louisville is likely to make the previously under-the-radar Cooper a defensive priority when the Cardinals (2-0) face the Hoosiers (1-1) Saturday at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.
“I was shocked because I didn’t think it would come this early in my career,” the redshirt freshman says. “It’s very exciting.”
Cooper barely played in four games last season (his only stats show four kickoff returns for 63 total yards), and didn’t catch a pass in the season-opener against No. 3Ohio State. But against Indiana State last Friday night, he looked like the second coming of James Hardy, IU’s career receiving record holder.
With veteran receivers Cam Camper and E.J. Williams Jr. banged up, Cooper took advantage to catch seven passes for 101 yards, with a long of 31. He was targeted a team-leading 10 times.
“I try to make those plays in practice, and translate it into games.”
Fellow receiver Donaven McCulley was pumped watching it.
“It was exciting. I’m on the sidelines, watching him catch a hitch and turn up field. I just love to see that. I love to see my brother eat,” McCulley said.
Cooper and McCulley bring a winning edge. As high school teammates, they led Indianapolis Lawrence North to a 7-4 record in 2020, its first winning record in 15 years. The next season, with McCulley an IU freshman, Cooper helped Lawrence North win its first sectional title since 1990.
They are part of a talented receiver group geared to test a Louisville defense that allows 192.5 passing yards per game.
Head coach Tom Allen is high on both of them.
“They love to compete. They love to play the game. They're talented guys that I love having with us.”
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby connected with Cooper on that 31-yarder. Cooper also got plenty of love from Tayven Jackson, who has emerged as the starting quarterback.
“I felt I was strong with the ball in my hands,” Cooper says, “and tried to fight for as many yards as I could after the catch.
“I was doing my part when I went in the game. Doing what I had to do to help my team out.”
In just one game, the 6-1, 195-pound Cooper became IU’s leading receiver for the season. Camper is next with six catches for 72 yards. McCulley has five catches for 64 yards.
That Cooper was able to wait his turn reflects maturity, patience, and perspective.
“When you think about last week (against Indiana State),” Allen says, “Omar didn't have much production, and then, boom, over a hundred yards and a bunch of catches.
“I made a big deal about that. He stayed the course. I'm sure he wanted to catch more balls (against Ohio State), but at the same time every week is a little different.”
It took time for Cooper to adapt to the college game after a standout high school career in which he caught 132 passes for 2,856 yards and 22 TDs.
“It was different,” Cooper says. “I had to get used to it. It’s a different speed than I was used to. There are more athletic guys. The game moves faster. The pace is way different than in high school.”
Then there’s McCulley, a four-star, dual-threat high school quarterback prospect who threw his share of passes Cooper’s way. In his career, he threw for 6,211 yards and 47 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,274 yards.
After one IU season at quarterback, McCulley now has a bright receiving future he’s only begun to tap into. Last season, his first as a receiver, he caught 16 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown.
“I’m not surprised they're doing well,” Allen says. “I expected them to. I want to continue to see them grow and develop within our system and just keep bringing it every week.”
At 6-5 and 200 pounds, McCulley has the size, physicality, speed, and athleticism to be a dominant receiver, a point Allen continues to emphasize.
“Donaven is a gifted player, and once again continues to elevate his play,” Allen says. “That's got to continue to grow. I expect it even more this week, that he continues to become a complete player.”
McCulley says he’s focused on improving his speed and drive phase. He wants to be, not just a big-play threat, but a big-play maker.
“I’m working on getting off the ball. Continue to run on deep routes. Catching deep balls down the field.”
One test for a good receiver is a willingness to block. Cooper and McCulley are solid in that area, Allen says.
“They are two really good players that do block. Their effort in blocking is, to me, that's the character test. That's the buy-in test. That's the, ‘Hey, this guy gets it’ test.
“We brought in an individual from the NFL to talk about that. What are you looking for in a receiver? Are you willing to block? Are you willing to play special teams? Are you willing to do all the things it takes when you're not catching the ball?”
When it comes to McCulley and Cooper, the answers to all those questions is yes.
“Everybody loves to catch the ball, get yards, and score touchdowns,” Allen says. “I look for what they do when they're not doing that. They're unselfish guys.”
McCulley and Cooper have a special relationship on and off the field. They encourage and critique each other.
“With Omar, I know how he is,” McCulley says. “He’s like my little brother. We’re real tight.”
Adds Cooper: “We were close in high school, but we’ve become closer as receivers. We help each other out as much as possible.”
The same is true of the other IU receivers.
“The comradery of our group is extremely close,” McCulley says. “We keep getting better.”
On Saturday against Louisville, they’ll get another chance to prove it.
