April 26th, 2026 8:00am
From rockathletics.com
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Former Slippery Rock University left tackle Joe Cooper accepted a Rookie Minicamp invite from the New York Jets Sunday on the day after the 2026 NFL Draft concluded.
Cooper, an SRU graduate from East Berlin, Ohio, will report to the Jets camp on May 8
"I'm really excited for Joe to get this chance to prove that he can play at the next level," said SRU head coach Shawn Lutz. "He worked his tail off for us over the last four years to become one of the best offensive linemen in the country at our level and he chose to stay here and finish his career at SRU this year, which tells you a lot about the kind of person and teammate he is. We know he is going to keep working hard to prove he can play at the next level."
Cooper, who measured in officially at just over 6-foot-6 and just shy of 330 pounds, will earn a chance at playing in the NFL after impressing scouts both on the field during his SRU career and in the months since the 2025 season ended. In January, he was the only player from any Division II school in the country to be invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was evaluated by coaches and scouts from every team in the NFL.
Cooper became the first SRU offensive lineman to earn consensus All-America honors since 2015 after a dominant senior season leading The Rock offensive line. He was named to first team All-America honors by the Associated Press and the American Football Coaches Association while also being named to the D2football.com, Walter Camp, D2 Conference Commissioner's Association and Don Hansen All-America teams. He was also one of the eight national finalists for the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year trophy and picked up first team All-Region and All-Conference honors as well.
Cooper started every game in 2025 at left tackle and protected the left side on an offensive line unit that allowed just 10 total sacks all year with a freshman quarterback. SRU ranked No. 1 in the PSAC West and No. 16 among all teams in Division II in the fewest sacks allowed in 2025.
The Rock ran for 217.8 yards per game and put up 418.1 total yards of offense and 32.7 points per game. Cooper and the SRU offensive line blocked for All-American running back JayJay Jordan, who ran for 1,375 yards and put up 1,858 all-purpose yards this year on his way to being named the PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year.
Cooper appeared in 43 games over his SRU career and started the last 38 straight games, missing zero starts in 2023, 2024 or 2025. He helped The Rock to the NCAA Playoffs in three seasons with two trips to the quarterfinals and one appearance in the national semifinals.
One of the highlights of Cooper's career came on Senior Day last fall, when he scored a one-yard rushing TD in a win over Clarion on the only carry of his career.
Cooper becomes the 11th Slippery Rock player to get a chance with an NFL team since 2015 as SRU continues to stand out at the Division II level.