Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 88 Days (Gary Cooper)

Written by Nathan Comp

#88

The Hoosier Huddle countdown to kickoff has begun. Just 88 days remain until the Hoosiers kickoff the 2019 season in Indianapolis against the Ball State Cardinals. Today we will highlight 2019 signee Gary Cooper.

Gary Cooper (Freshman)

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 235 Pounds

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Position: Tight End

Though Gary Cooper will be entering a competitive room of tight ends with Peyton Hendershot, Matt Bjorson, and TJ Ivy all returning, Cooper is an interesting prospect that just may have enough talent to push Coach Allen into extending him past the 4-game redshirt rule.

Cooper was a 3-star prospect from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, just like fellow incoming freshman Jeramy Passmore. He was ranked the number 13 hybrid tight end nationally by ESPN, the hybrid flexibility being a strong reason why he may see early playing time despite heavy competition. Before choosing Indiana, Cooper had also received scholarship offers from Michigan, Florida, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Boston College, and Utah, among others. Coach Allen’s pitch on making him a vital piece of the offense eventually swayed him to choose the Hoosiers.

Coach Allen is most excited about Cooper’s versatility at the position. He has a big enough frame to stay on the line and block and make plays between the hash marks, but enough speed to move out wide and catch passes. His tape shows a player that after the catch has great vision and athleticism with the ball in his possession. He’ll be a freshman to watch this coming season.

HUTCH’S TRIVIA QUESTION

 In honor of the late Terry Hutchens, we are including a daily IUFB trivia question from his book So You Think You Know Indiana University Football. Hutch is dearly missed and this is our way of keeping his memory with us this season. Please leave your answers in the comments section.

What future Cincinnati Reds baseball star starred as a tight end for the Indiana University football team in the mid-1940’s?

 (check back tomorrow for the answer)

 Yesterday’s Answer: George Taliaferro