WATCH: Mississippi State linebacker Ty Cooper talks defensive changes
Mississippi State linebacker Ty Cooper came on strong towards the end of his sophomore season and surprised a lot of people with his development. Of the 13 tackles he collected in 2023, the Louisville native recorded nearly half of those in the final two games of the 2023 schedule.
This spring and like his teammates, Cooper is learning a new defense and is also learning a new role within that defense. Recently, Cooper met with the media to discuss those changes and he shared his thoughts on spring practice:
Q: You’re another guy getting accustomed to a different position this year. How’s that process been?
Cooper: It’s going pretty good. Pretty much a time management deal, meeting with my coaches and making sure I take every rep on and off the field whether I’m with the 1s, 2s or 3s.
Q: Are you at jack linebacker or sam linebacker?
Cooper: I’m at jack linebacker.
Q: How different is that position compared to previous defenses?
Cooper: It’s pretty much more on the ball, pretty much moving around on and off the ball. Pretty much everywhere on the defense.
Q: You really closed out last season on a high note. How much of a confidence boost did that give you?
Cooper: It really helped me for this year because now I know what I can do. The coaches know I can do it and I have to go out there and show them every day and go out there and ball.
Q: How is it going with a new staff and everyone trying to earn their spot?
Cooper: It’s pretty much a brand new start, a fresh start with new coaches. They really want to see what you do in person instead of on film. Now they can see what you can do on the field in practice and in the film room and all that.
Q: Who else is working with you at the jack spot?
Cooper: Coach (Coleman) Hutzler helps the linebacker and Coach (David) Turner helps the pass rush.
Q: What about other players at the jack spot?
Cooper: Donterry (Russell), Branden Jennings and Joseph Head. They are all out there at jack with me.
Q: What have you seen from Trevion Williams and Kalvin Dinkins this spring?
Cooper: Them boys are pretty strong bulls. You can’t move them. They’re gonna stop the run every time.
Q: How is the transition going with the new offensive tempo?
Cooper: It’s getting there now. Last year we weren’t a fast-paced team. But now they are going to fast tempo and we will be used to it week by week.
Q: With the defense, how much of a chip is there on your shoulders?
Cooper: We got a point to prove. Week by week we’ve got a point to prove to show everybody we are going to be the No. 1 defense in the SEC.
Q: Even though he didn’t start his career here, Stone Blanton is from Mississippi and already knew some of y’all before he transferred here. How has his transition been?
Cooper: He pretty much came in like he’s been here forever. We bonded quick and he picked up the defense pretty quick. I am ready to see what he can do when he comes back.
Q: Who are some of the younger linebackers you think can help out this year?
Cooper: Javae (Gilmore), Zakari (Tillman), Khalid (Moore), pretty much all of them. All of them have key aspects in our defense.
Q: What area do you feel this defense has to make its biggest jump?
Cooper: Pretty much we’ve got room to improve in all areas. With everybody keep taking a step, one percent, two percent or whatever, as long as we are getting progress we will be good.
Q: Where do you feel like you are right now as a player?
Cooper: I feel like I have improved being more of a leader, more vocal. Making sure everybody is doing the right things and making sure everybody is there at the right times. Just being more vocal as a leader.
