Texas A&M’s (5-4, 3-3 SEC) 2023 football season will not be viewed as a success when all is said and done, even though the team is likely to finish two games above their total wins last season. However, as with every team, several players have performed much better than expected, but no player donning Maroon & White has shined as bright as junior linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
Making a 360-degree development turn from where he was in 2022, Cooper, who leads the team in tackles (59), sacks (7), and tackles for loss with 16 (!), more than any linebacker in the country, is vying for SEC Defensive Player of the Year after nine games, while his NFL trajectory has already skyrocketed according to multiple Draft analysts.
Well, even including those awe-inspiring numbers, those who select the winner for the annual Butkus Award, given to the top Power 5 linebacker at the end of every season, released their 12-player Semifinalists list.
No P5 linebacker in America has even 14 TFLs this year except for one: Edgerrin Cooper of Texas A&M, who has 16, and somehow isn't on this list. Cooper is also #2 among all P5 linebackers in sacks… yet apparently isn't a top 10 linebacker. Such utter nonsense. https://t.co/bQ5hU7gJJA
— Matt Bohmfalk (@mattywatty01) November 6, 2023
Well, in shocking fashion, Edgerrin Cooper failed to make the cut, even though he has practically outplayed every player listed, making a much more significant impact for his respected team in a season where Texas A&M’s defense has been the predominate strength in nearly every matchup. Cooper shared his disappointment on Twitter (X) after the announcement was made.
Dang .
— Edgerrin Cooper (@edgerrincooper1) November 6, 2023
With three regular-season games remaining, count on Cooper to continue his dominant streak, but honestly, we’re all on his side in one of the biggest snubs of the year. Hang in there, big guy, big things are ahead in your football future, that’s for sure.
Texas A&M will return to Kyle Field to take on Mississippi State on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 pm. CT. The game will air on ESPN2.
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