Keanon Cooper

Class:
Redshirt Senior
Position:
Linebacker
Hometown:
Dallas, Texas
High School:
Skyline

2011 ? JUNIOR SEASON:
Appeared in all 12 games and started at outside linebacker in nine games ? recorded 77 tackles (34 solo, 43 assisted) ? had six tackles for loss including one sack ? forced two fumbles and recovered one ? broke-up two passes ? earned third varsity letter? named Academic All-Big Ten.

Game-by-Game: Notched four tackles (one solo, three assisted), plus one tackle-for-loss in season opener at USC (9/3) ? racked up nine tackles (four solo, five assists), one tackle-for-loss and forced a fumble in home opener vs. New Mexico State (9/10) ? tallied nine stops (four solo, five assists) in 29-23 home victory over Miami (Ohio) (9/17) ? recorded one tackle in 37-24 loss to North Dakota State (9/24) ? notched four tackles (three solo, one assist) in Big Ten opener at Michigan (10/1) ? tied a career-high in solo tackles with six and recorded one tackle-for-loss and a forced fumble in loss at Purdue (10/8) ? recorded a career-high with team-best 12 tackles (four solo, 8 assists), while also breaking up one pass in Homecoming loss to Nebraska (10/22) ? notched five tackles (two solo, three assists) in 22-21 victory over Iowa (10/29) ? recorded seven stops (one solo, six assists) and recovered his first career fumble in 31-24 loss at Michigan State (11/5) ? had six tackles (three solo, three assists) in loss to Wisconsin (11/12) ? tallied nine tackles (three solo, six assists), along with half a tackle-for-loss in 28-13 loss at Northwestern (11/19) ? recorded five tackles (three solo, two assists) with 1.5 tackles-for-loss and one sack in 27-7 victory over Illinois (11/26).

2010 ? SOPHOMORE?SEASON:
Appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts at linebacker ? recorded 68 total tackles (40 solo) ? also made 4.5 tackles for a loss ? broke up one pass and forced one fumble in 2010.

Game-by-Game: earned first-career start at linebacker in season-opener against Middle Tennessee State on 9/2 ? recorded six total tackles (five solo, one assist) in the 24-17 win over the Blue Raiders ? tallied six solo tackles and two assists against USC (9/11) ? tied with Mike Rallis for a team-high nine total tackles (six solo, three assists) against South Dakota (9/18) ? tallied two tackles (one solo) and broke up one pass against Northern Illinois (9/25) ? tallied one solo tackle against Northwestern (10/2) as a reserve ? recorded one tackle against Wisconsin (10/9) ? contributed nine tackles (five solo) against Purdue (10/16) including one tackle behind the line ? recorded five total tackles (four solo) against Penn State (10/23) ? recorded 10 tackles (six solo) against Ohio State (10/30) ? made five tackles (four solo) against Michigan State (11/6) including one stop behind the line ? made nine stops (three solo) against Illinois (11/13) including one tackle behind the line and half a sack ? contributed three tackles (two solo) in Minnesota's win over Iowa (11/27).

2009 ? FRESHMAN?SEASON:
Reserve linebacker whose 43 total tackles ranked him seventh on the team ? produced several strong performances throughout the season ? saw extensive action against California and tallied six total tackles ? blocked a punt vs. Wisconsin ? registered double-digit tackles for the first time in his career, as well as his first sack and first forced fumble against Illinois ? also picked up his second career blocked punt late in the game against Illinois, which led to the Gophers' final touchdown ? earned first varsity letter ? named to the Big Ten All-Academic team.

Game-by-Game: Appeared in first career game as a Golden Gopher in the season opening 23-20 OT win at Syracuse (9/5) ? recorded first career tackle vs. the Orange ? saw action in the 20-13 win over Air Force (9/12) ? saw first extensive playing time as a Golden Gopher in the 35-21 loss to No. 8 Cal (9/19) ? finished with six solo tackles and seven total tackles vs. the Bears, each the second-best mark on the team ? appeared in the 35-24 win at Northwestern (9/26), but did not record any statistics ? in the 31-28 loss to Wisconsin (10/3), registered four tackles and also blocked a punt ? in the 35-20 win over Purdue, had his best game of the season, finishing second on the team with a career high 10 tackles, including his first career sack, for a loss of three yards ? in the 20-0 loss at No. 14 Penn State (10/17) collected six total tackles including two solos and 0.5 tackles for a loss ? in the 38-7 loss to No. 18 Ohio State (10/24) finished with two total tackles ? in the 42-34 win over Michigan State (10/31), finished with one pass break-up, the first of his career ? in the 35-32 loss to Illinois (11/7) tallied one tackle and blocked a punt late in the game that led to the Gophers' final touchdown ? in the 16-13 win over South Dakota State (11/14) finished among the team leaders with five tackles ? appeared in the 12-0 loss to Iowa (11/21), finishing with one tackle ? saw action (12/31) at the Insight Bowl vs. Iowa State, but did not record any statistics.

2008:
Redshirted.

HIGH SCHOOL:
Prepped at Skyline High School, where he was a three-year starter ? key member of a top-ranked defense that allowed just 203.8 yards per game in 2007 ? helped lead Skyline to a 12-2 record and its deepest run in the playoffs since 1972 as the Raiders reached the Class 5A Division Region Final ? posted staggering statistical numbers as both a junior and a senior ? totaled 141 tackles, three blocked punts, three interceptions, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries as a senior in 2007 ? member of the ESPN 150 ? rated as the No. 128 overall player in the nation by ESPN.com ? No. 12 outside linebacker and the No. 6 player in Texas by ESPN.com ? tabbed as the No. 13 player in the Dallas Metroplex by the Dallas Morning News ? received four stars from Rivals, which rates him as the nation's No. 24 safety and the No. 45 overall player in Texas ? rated as a three-star prospect and the No. 37 safety in the country by Scout ? selected to play in the prestigious Under Armor All-America Game ? earned Class 5A first team all-state honors from The Associated Press ? a second team all-state selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association ? also earned first team All-Area honors from the Dallas Morning News and was a first team All-District 11-5A pick ? racked up 143 tackles, including four sacks, nine interceptions, five fumble recoveries and five forced fumbles as a junior in 2006 ? also had a blocked punt return for a touchdown ? earned first team All-Area and first team District 11-5A honors ? coached by Reginald Samples.

PERSONAL:
Born October 28, 1989 ? son of Vickie Cooper ? sports management major.