Ryan Cooper Jr. Bio
Ryan “Bump” Cooper Jr. (born August 31, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback who has spent his early career developing through multiple NFL organizations while also establishing himself in the United Football League with the Birmingham Stallions. Born in Palo Alto, California, Cooper emerged as a notable defensive talent after playing at both the College of San Mateo and Oregon State, where he demonstrated consistent playmaking ability in the secondary. Despite going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens and has continued his professional journey through several teams. Cooper carries football in his blood, with two cousins who have reached the NFL level at the cornerback position.
Early Life and Background
Cooper grew up in Santa Clara, California, where he attended Adrian Wilcox High School. During his time at Adrian Wilcox, Cooper developed into a promising multi-sport athlete who garnered attention from college football programs across the country. His performance in high school laid the foundation for his eventual transition to the collegiate level, where he sought to refine his skills against higher competition.
Path to American Football
After graduating from Adrian Wilcox High School, Cooper enrolled at the College of San Mateo in 2019, beginning his collegiate football career at the junior college level. Over three seasons from 2019 to 2021, Cooper appeared in 22 games for the program, accumulating 47 tackles and 4 interceptions. His consistency and football instincts over three seasons positioned him for an opportunity to advance to Division I football. Seeking a higher level of competition, Cooper committed to continue his collegiate career at Oregon State University, joining the Beavers program for the 2022 season.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Career
College Career (2019–2023)
During his three seasons at the College of San Mateo from 2019 through 2021, Cooper established himself as a reliable defensive back, appearing in 22 games while recording 47 tackles and 4 interceptions. His ability to read quarterbacks and create turnovers became a defining aspect of his game during this developmental period. Cooper’s consistent performance over three seasons attracted attention from Division I programs seeking experienced secondary help.
Cooper elevated his game significantly at Oregon State University from 2022 to 2023, appearing in 23 games for the Beavers. He totaled 82 tackles during his two seasons, including 5 tackles for loss, while also contributing 1.5 sacks and an impressive 18 pass deflections. Cooper added 4 interceptions and scored 1 touchdown, showcasing his playmaking ability and versatility in the secondary. His sustained high-level production against Power Five competition demonstrated his readiness for professional football.
Professional Career (2024–Present)
Despite not hearing his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft, Cooper signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in April 2024, earning an opportunity to continue his football career. The Ravens released Cooper during final roster cuts on August 27, 2024, but re-signed him to the practice squad the following day. Cooper received his first NFL elevation for Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns, making his professional debut in that game. He appeared in one NFL game during the 2024 season before being released on November 19, 2024.
Cooper joined the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on November 26, 2024, and signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. Seattle released Cooper on February 21, 2025. The Miami Dolphins claimed Cooper off waivers on February 24, 2025, and released him on May 8 before re-signing him on May 27. Miami released Cooper again on July 26, 2025. The New York Jets claimed Cooper off waivers on July 27, 2025. The Jets released Cooper with an injury settlement on August 26, 2025, as part of their final roster cuts.
Earlier in 2025, the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League selected Cooper in January, providing him with an opportunity to compete in spring professional football. The Stallions compete among eight teams in the UFL, which began its inaugural season in 2024. This opportunity allowed Cooper to continue developing his craft and remain game-ready during the professional football calendar.
Career Statistics
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Cooper has demonstrated consistent defensive production. At the College of San Mateo from 2019 to 2021, Cooper appeared in 22 games and recorded 47 tackles with 4 interceptions. His production increased at the Division I level with Oregon State from 2022 to 2023, where he appeared in 23 games and recorded 82 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 18 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions. In the NFL during 2024, Cooper appeared in 1 game.
Ryan Cooper Jr. Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Cooper comes from a football family with strong NFL connections. Two of his cousins, Rejzohn Wright and Nahshon Wright, have both built professional careers as cornerbacks in the NFL. Rejzohn Wright currently plays for the New Orleans Saints, while Nahshon Wright plays for the Chicago Bears. This family legacy in the secondary has provided Cooper with built-in mentorship and a clear pathway example for achieving success at the highest level of professional football.
2025 Season Performance
As Cooper enters the 2025 season, he brings a wealth of experience from his collegiate career at both Oregon State and the College of San Mateo, along with his early professional journey through multiple NFL organizations. His consistent production at the Division I level, particularly his 23-game span at Oregon State with 82 tackles and 18 pass deflections, demonstrates his ability to contribute at a high level when given regular opportunities.
With his college career behind him and professional experience now on his resume, Cooper looks to establish himself as a reliable NFL cornerback. His family connections to the NFL through his cousins provide both inspiration and guidance as he continues his development. The 2025 season represents an important chapter in Cooper’s career as he works to demonstrate that his collegiate success can translate to consistent performance at the professional level.