Undrafted Tarleton State receiver Darius Cooper has emerged as a notable training camp sleeper for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, turning heads with a standout performance against the Bengals that fueled optimism about his NFL future.
Cooper, a St. Louis native who played college football at Tarleton State near the Fort Worth–Waco corridor, stood out as a pro-ready playmaker with NFL potential. He stands about 5-foot-11 and 210 pounds, and his senior season earned him first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors. In 2024 he produced eye-popping numbers, finishing second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 and twelfth in the nation in touchdowns with 14, placing him among the most prolific pass catchers in college football that year. Across 48 career games, he totaled 164 receptions for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch.
During training camp this year, Cooper showcased his speed and playmaking ability, recording six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in a camp-heavy matchup against the Bengals. That performance helped him secure consideration for a reserve role, with observers noting he could contend for the fourth, fifth, or even sixth wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster.
The Eagles have a history of uncovering hidden gems at receiver through the undrafted route, and Cooper joins a long line of such players who have carved out meaningful roles. Philadelphia has also benefited from players who came into the league as under-the-radar talents and developed into key contributors for a Super Bowl-caliber roster, such as Reed Blankenship, who rose from undrafted status out of Middle Tennessee to become a regular on a championship-contending defense, and former late-round finds like Corey Clement and Chad Lewis who left their mark in Philadelphia.
What to watch going forward is how Cooper translates his college production and camp momentum into an NFL-ready skill set, including route versatility, special-teams value, and consistency against veteran defensive backs. If he continues to show the same playmaking ability and effort, Cooper could establish himself as a reliable depth option who can contribute in multiple roles as the season unfolds.
Summary: Darius Cooper’s standout camp performance, coupled with his high-end college production and the Eagles’ proven track record with undrafted receivers, keeps him in the mix for a depth-role on a roster that values speed and big-play potential. He embodies the hopeful narrative of an undrafted player seizing a meaningful NFL opportunity through dedication and production.
Possible positive takeaway: Cooper’s path mirrors past Eagles success stories and could spark a promising career trajectory if he maintains his early camp momentum and translates it to regular-season opportunities.