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Penn State Football: Jake Cooper can take Brandon Smith role

By Collin Wieder

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Shannon Brooks #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rushes against Jake Cooper #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half during the game at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Shannon Brooks #23 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers rushes against Jake Cooper #33 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the second half during the game at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Jake Cooper has waited his turn to see the field. Just like Brandon Smith, Cooper’s chance to play for Penn State football is his final year.

The linebacking corp looked bleak when Manny Bowen was dismissed from the team last year. Penn State football didn’t worry. The program turned to veteran, nose-to-the-grindstone linebacker Brandon Smith. He delivered down the stretch finishing the year off with 62 total tackles. Similar to Smith, senior linebacker Jake Cooper hasn’t earned a starting job in his career. But, he should step in this year and start a few games and maybe even take the job.

First off, the former three-star college recruit didn’t get a whole lot of offers coming out of high school. He worked his way onto the field early on, seeing time as a true freshman. Now, he was recruited and signed on after receiving eight offers, so he had interest just not to the level of some linebackers.

Furthermore, Cooper took advantage of his starting time, producing whenever he got on the field.   He started against Georgia in the TaxSlayer Bowl and set his career high in tackles with six, building to a solid spot role. Cooper recorded five or more tackles in three games over his career including five in his start against Temple in 2016. In 25 total appearances, he put up 40 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Unfortunately for him, an injury sidelined him for a total of nine games in 2016. In addition, a loaded linebacking corp kept him off the field in 2017. With one year left, he has his chance to make his mark.

Smith found a similar fate facing him in his senior year. He made plays prior to his final season but didn’t have a permanent starting role early on. Right now, Penn State football needs another playmaker at linebacker. Koa Farmer returns as the only starting linebacker. Outside of him, Cameron Brown, Jan Johnson and Cooper are the only other contributors.

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Cooper has a chance to exceed all expectations and become one of those illustrious members of linebacker U. Smith defied his expectations and propelled his career into the NFL as well.

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