Cooper Jr.’s Big-Play Formula -- Maturity Equals Consistency Equals Success
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana junior receiver Omar Cooper Jr. gets it now as he didn’t before; he has consistent focus and commitment that sometimes previously wandered but wanders no more.
The result -- Cooper Jr. has become one of the best receivers on one of the best teams in college football. IU is 9-0 overall, 6-0 in the Big Ten and ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff, Associated Press and coaches’ polls entering Saturday’s game at Penn State (3-5, 0-3).
“It was a mindset thing,” Cooper Jr. says. “I’d come to practice sometimes lazy or feeling like I didn’t want to be there, or my body was tired and I let that affect practice.
“Now, it’s knowing this is a blessing. Some people don’t get this opportunity. I have to make sure I work hard every day. You never know what could happen. My mindset had to change.”
Mission accomplished.
Cooper Jr. leads IU with career highs in catches (46), yards (669), and touchdowns (eight). He also has a 75-yard touchdown run, which tied the program record for the longest by a receiver (Shane Wynn also did it against Michigan State in 2014).
For perspective, Cooper Jr. had a combined 46 catches for 861 yards and nine touchdowns in his first two seasons,
Also, his 743 all-purpose yards rank second on the team to running back Roman Hemby’s 910.
“I think Cooper, with another year of maturity, has become more consistent,” head coach Curt Cignetti says. “There are still improvements to be made, like everybody else on the team. He had that drop (against Maryland) and then another one he could have come down with. It was a tough catch, but he could have had a huge day.
“He's an explosive player. He's good after the catch. He’s hard to tackle. He just keeps getting better and better. I think it's all in front of him. I really do.”
Cooper Jr. doesn’t catch passes to just build on his statistics. Last season, 24 of his receptions went for first downs or touchdowns. After five games this season, 15 of his 22 catches went for first downs or TDs.
“I've seen a lot of growth in Omar,” Cignetti says. “I've always been impressed with his upside since the first spring after I got to watch him a few times and saw his explosion and suddenness.”
Standout receiver Elijah Sarratt says Cooper Jr. is faster and more explosive than he is, a bold statement given Sarratt is one of the Big Ten’s best with 45 catches for 609 yards and a conference-leading10 touchdowns despite being limited the last two games with injuries.
Cooper counters that Sarratt is better “at using his body and hands” as well as adjusting to back-shoulder throws.
“I’m trying to learn from him,” Cooper Jr. says. “It takes time.”
As far as being part of one of the Big Ten’s best receiving duos with Sarratt, Cooper Jr. adds that it reflects “how hard we work.”
“It’s coming out knowing that there's some way, somehow that we can still get better. So, we try and push each other and make sure that each one is not being complacent or satisfied with what we've done so far.
“The fact that we go at it with each other and we also compete with stats. That also is a better way for us to play hard. Make sure we push each other every day.”
Cooper Jr. has thrived as a slot receiver after excelling on the outside in his first couple of seasons. The Hoosiers had brought in Michigan transfer Tyler Morris to handle the role, but a season-ending knee injury in the spring opened an opportunity. After trying Sarratt and E.J. Williams Jr. there, coaches settled on Cooper Jr.
“Cooper seemed the most comfortable,” Cignetti says.
Cooper Jr. says he likes the position because it gives him more route running options.
“It allows my game to be more open and involved. At first, I didn't want to play slot, so I'm actually glad they made that decision.”
So are his teammates.
“He’s always been a player who stood out, right when he got here,” offensive lineman Carter Smith says. “His speed, the way he’s able to break off the corners and find an open pocket. He’s good at reading a defense and finding those areas where they’re not covering.”
Faith is important to Cooper Jr. and to his improvement. He quotes a Bible verse in Colossians that says whatever you do, do it with your whole heart, and do it to please the Lord, and not man.
“I tell myself that every time I go on the field,” he says. “It helps me push to the next level.”
Meanwhile, the Hoosiers hope to get Sarratt back to full strength. He barely played against Maryland because of an injury and only caught two passes the previous week against UCLA. Cignetti calls him “day to day” as far as playing against Penn State.
“He's been dealing with something the last two weeks,” Cignetti says, “but was able to play. He had a little tweak of something else early in the game, and we got him out for precautionary reasons.”
Still, IU’s receiver depth is as good as any in the conference. Williams Jr. has 26 catches for 336 yards and five touchdowns. Jonathan Brady has 10 catches for 73 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also averaged 17.6 yards on 16 punt returns. Charlie Becker has seven catches for 157 yards, including a long of 52 against Maryland, and a TD. He also has five special teams tackles.
“Charlie has done a good job,” Cignetti says. “He's taken advantage of his opportunities and saw more playing time on Saturday. He’s also, a key guy on our special teams, as is Brady as a punt returner.
“Brady has made a few plays in the slot, also. He's just unfortunately behind Cooper. But Cooper has got the flexibility, we can move him around, play him inside, outside, which then only increases (Brady’s) reps.”