2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Ryan Cooper Jr., DB, Oregon State

Ryan Cooper is a DB for Oregon State with solid size, speed and awareness. Hula Bowl scout Matthew Swanson breaks down Cooper as an NFL Prospect in his report. — Ryan Cooper is a DB for Oregon State with solid size, speed, and awareness. Hula Bowl scout Matthew Swanson breaks down Cooper as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ryan Cooper Jr., #1 (was #23 in 2022)
School (Code)	ORST
Class Yr	4th Yr. Sr.
Height, Weight	5112 / 187 LBS
40 Yd Dash	4.54
Position/Depth	Nickelback / #1
Honors/Captainship	All-PAC-12 Honorable Mention (2022), JUCO All League Selection (2019)
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	FLUN, CASC, ORUN
Scout Name / Date	Matthew Swanson, 9-15-2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2023	TBD
2022	13 GP, 10 GS, 45 TKLS (28 SOLO/17 ASST), 3 INT, 7 PD
2021	2 GP, 0 GS, 6 TKLS (4 SOLO/2 ASST)
2020	No Season COVID
2019	11 GP, N/A GS, 21 TKLS (18 SOLO/3 ASST), 1 INT, N/A PD

Player Summary:

4th Yr. Sr. started their career at the College of San Mateo before transferring to ORST in 2021. Positioned as a Nickelback in the ORST 4-2-5 defense that refrains from utilizing press man and utilizes soft zone/man. Projects as a nickelback in the NFL. Taller corner who has good height and marginal weight. The frame is thin and lanky with solid arm length and proportionate, slender lower and upper halves. Solid AA that includes good play speed, solid vertical and lateral agility, and decent acceleratory burst. Vision and awareness in zone and man are sufficient, showing a solid feel for the ball and recognition of those who enter the zone. Gives a 5+ yard cushion to slot WRs initially. Good play speed allows him to turn and stick with solid size/speed WRs well up the seam on deep routes. The ability to stick and drive on short to intermediate routes is ordinary due to initial cushion, marginal hip sink, and sufficient vertical and lateral agility. Average length and short area quickness lead to the solid ability to make PBUs. Shows decent aggression and involvement as a run defender. Marginal ability to defeat blocks against average-sized blocking WRs due to slender frame and marginal UOH shedding. Tackling form is marginal, knifes RBs or WRs down with shoulder ordinarily when within range. When given less cushion at LOS, crosses his legs and gets tangled up against receivers with good initial quickness and sufficient speed. Has a frame to add weight and get stronger, would like to see him press and utilize respectful aggression similar to that of how he plays as a pass defender when the ball is in the air.

Scheme Fit:

Nickel Corner.

Power Statement:

Solid sized corner with good play speed and sufficient length and awareness to make an impact against the pass. As a run defender, he needs to improve and would benefit from added weight on his slender frame to improve his physicality.