James Cooper Cousins, the Penn State OL, has been stealing the spotlight on the offensive line in his spring drill. A former four-star offensive lineman, Cousins was ranked No. 2 in-state recruit and the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2024 class by 247 Sports Composite.
The first member of Penn State’s 2024 class, Cousins verbally committed to the Nittany Lions back in January 2022. One of the top linemen in the 2024 class, Cooper Cousins stands tall at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds, and played at both center and guard positions at McDowell High School, Pennsylvania in his senior year. As Cousins gets ready to lead the 2024 class, here’s why you should look out for this Penn State IOL.
Cooper Cousins can be a bully on the field
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Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Cousins was coached by Brad Orlando at McDowell. In his senior year, Cooper, who lettered three times and was a two-time team captain, led the Trojans to an 8-5 record and district title. Not only that, the OL also got the nod to play in both the All-American Bowl and the Hawaiian Bowl. He’s been a three-time all-state pick in 6A and racked up all-conference, all-district, and all-region honors three times. A multi-dimensional athlete, Cousins excelled at baseball, basketball, and wrestling at McDowell. But it was football, in which young Cooper found his true calling. “Football is a game that takes dedication and hard work,” said Cousins. “Up to this point, I think I am showing that my run game is solid and I am a very versatile player on the offensive line. I enjoy working hard and putting in time to remain a solid player.”
As an OL, Cousins leverages his physical frame, mauling in the interior. Cooper is a really big guy with 33.5-inch arms—and remarkably fast for his size—and, man, when he gets out into the open field, he can be a real terror. Brian Dohn, National Recruiting Analyst at 247Sports, noted, “A bully at the point of attack on either side of the ball. Excels as a drive-blocking finisher who keeps active feet… Flashes impressive functional athleticism pulling across the formation and around the edge… Capable of locating and engaging second-level targets in space.” Cousins, who is confident about playing anywhere on the offensive line, absolutely enjoys being on the offensive line. “I like how as a player you can be as nasty as you want while showing skills at all positions on the offensive line.”
Cooper Cousins is not related to NFL star Kirk Cousins
When Cooper committed to the Nittany Lions, there were rumors swirling that he was none other than the son of NFL QB Kirk Cousins. While the Penn State OL shares his name with Kirk’s son, he is not at all related to Kirk. The Minnesota Vikings’ QB was blessed with his son Cooper in 2017 and he is 7 years old.
Little Cooper had been seen multiple times at the Vikings’ games. Cousins Jr. even did a brief (and adorable) interview with the Vikings WR Justin Jefferson from the sidelines, a glimpse of which was posted by Papa Kirk on his Instagram.
