Rising Underdog: Darius Cooper’s Journey from Hazelwood West to the Eagles

The story of Darius Cooper begins in St. Louis, Missouri, where he starred as a dual-threat quarterback at Hazelwood West High School. In his senior season, he threw for 1,275 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 870 yards and 11 scores. Despite those numbers, he was lightly recruited and ultimately walked on at Division II Tarleton State, determined to earn every opportunity.

From First Catch to FCS Standout

Cooper’s first two seasons saw limited touches—just one catch for six yards in 2020 and five receptions for 38 yards in 2021. However, in 2022, everything changed in 2022. He exploded for 54 catches, 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns, earning First-Team All–Western Athletic Conference honors and national attention for his blend of speed and physicality.

Yards Per Grab King:

In 2023, Cooper took another step forward at Tarleton State, hauling in 28 receptions for 622 yards and five touchdowns. averaged an eye-popping 22.2 yards per catch, proving he was still a deep-threat even after opponents focused their game plans on him. His production and impact on the field earned him second-team All–United Athletic Conference honors that year.

Record-Breaking Senior Year

In 2024, Cooper cemented his status as one of the FCS’s college football’s most prolific receivers. He led all of NCAA Division I twice over with 1,450 receiving yards on 76 catches, finding the end zone 14 times and averaging 19.1 yards per grab. His seven 100-yard games set a single-season school record and made him a First-Team FCS All-American.

So why didn’t he get drafted?

For those who aren’t aware of the FCS, sits one tier below the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)—home to the Power Five conferences like the SEC, Big Ten and ACC—so it doesn’t get the same national spotlight or level of competition week in and week out. That said, the UAC (formerly the WAC–ASUN alliance) is still a breeding ground for NFL talent, and Cooper’s gaudy numbers there underscore how ready he is to make the jump—even if scouts tend to underrate FCS prospects.

Undrafted but Undeterred

Even after a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, Cooper wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine and went unselected in the 2025 draft. Rather than let disappointment define him, he treated it as fuel. “God has a plan for everybody. My plan wasn’t to go to the draft, so I focused on training,” he said, embracing the role of the overlooked underdog. For reference Aj Brown ran a 4.49 at his draft combine. While Cooper is slightly smaller and slightly slimmer than AJ – Mike McGivern of British and Irish Eagles believes Cooper has what it takes to be AJ’s backup.

Seizing His Shot in Philadelphia

Signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in May, Cooper wasted no time making noise in camp. In the preseason opener against Cincinnati, he led Philadelphia with six catches for 82 yards and a 20-yard touchdown, all against first- and second-string defenders. His crisp releases, strong hands and savvy route-running forced everyone to take notice.

Poised to Shake Up the Depth Chart

Philadelphia’s receiver room is headlined by A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith and Jahan Dotson, but spots four through six are up for grabs. Cooper’s blend of college production, playoff-level work ethic and big-play ability has Eagles brass asking whether he can not only solidify the WR4 role but eventually challenge Dotson for the No. 3 spot.

A Beacon of Hope for Fans Across the Pond

For Eagles fans from Belfast to Birmingham, Cooper’s trajectory offers an inspiring reminder that the NFL’s next star can come from any corner. He embodies the grit and perseverance this fan base loves—proof that sometimes the best talents rise above every slight. If his climb so far is any indication, Darius Cooper may soon go from preseason breakout to Philadelphia staple.

What’s Next?

• Track Cooper’s snaps in week two of the preseason to see if his chemistry with Jalen Hurts grows.

• Watch for his special-teams impact, another common path for undrafted rookies to stick.

• Keep an eye on roster cutdown day—Cooper’s story could be one of the feel-good surprises of training camp.

  
  

Let us know your thoughts? What do you see in Cooper’s future?

Liam O’Neill