Penn State’s Jeremiah Cooper, Marcus Neal Jr. form talented duo at safety

In the fall of 2025, Jeremiah Cooper and Marcus Neal Jr. formed a talented duo at safety for Penn State. The season had started promisingly for Cooper, who was a standout safety at Iowa State and helped them set a school record for wins. However, his senior season took a sudden turn when he tore an ACL during a practice drill. This devastating injury forced him to undergo surgery and extensive rehabilitation, making it unclear whether he would ever return to the same level of play.

Cooper struggled with the mental toll of the injury, admitting that the first few months of recovery were some of his darkest days. Now at Penn State, Cooper is expected to return in early September, providing a much-needed boost to the defense and a versatile secondary that includes his former Iowa State teammate, Marcus Neal Jr. Neal, a 6-1, 216-pound junior, made a team-high 11 tackles for loss last year and has been projected as high as a first-round draft pick.

He praised Cooper's skills, athleticism, and football IQ, calling him a "game-changer" and "star" from day one. Cooper himself has high expectations, stating that he could play any defensive position and feeling confident in his ability to excel at all five defensive back positions. The trio of safeties, including both Cooper and Neal, shares a common trait: a relentless work ethic and infectious enthusiasm for the game, which has already made a positive impact on the team's dynamic.