After a breakout 2024 season, Omar Cooper Jr. is eyeing continued progression with Indiana football.
The Indianapolis native took a big step forward last year, finishing 26th in the Big Ten with 594 receiving yards and tying for 10th with seven touchdowns. He established himself as Indiana’s main outside option opposite from Elijah Sarratt.
IU head coach Curt Cignetti sees great potential in Cooper this year as a redshirt junior.
“Omar Cooper’s got the ability to be an outstanding football player,” Cignetti said Thursday. “He’s got to do it day in, day out, play in, play out. He’s got to get rid of the inconsistency, set higher standards for himself, and have the discipline and commitment to achieve his goals and become what he wants to be. The talent’s there, the flashes are there. Got to see it play in, play out, game in, game out.”
Cooper saw very little game action as a true freshman in 2022 under Tom Allen. He didn’t record a catch that season, and logged just four kickoff returns. He began to establish himself in 2023, catching 18 passes for 267 yards with two touchdowns. But he never quite leapt towards the front of the pack in IU’s wide receiver room, finishing fifth on the team in receiving that season.
He won a starting role last season under Cignetti during preseason, when many expected Donaven McCulley to enter the year as the starter. And he capitalized on that opportunity.
Now, going through this spring camp and entering the fall with a lot more experience, Cooper is focusing on some intricacies of the wide receiver position.
“Right now, I’ve been trying to learn top of the routes, getting better in and out of the routes, and then also just learning defensive schemes, so that when I’m out there, I’m not just loose in the mind or just thinking whatever,” Cooper said earlier in spring ball. “Trying to understand it and know what works best in that defense.”
Cignetti’s praise comes with high expectations.
He’s never been shy about challenging his players, constantly preaching that they can never be satisfied with where they’re at. But he talked about Cooper with particular vigor, knowing the redshirt junior’s next step is attainable and would put him among the top wideouts in the conference.
“(I’ve) been around some really good receivers — this is year 44 — and he could be one of those kind of guys. But you got to be able to count on guys, day in day out, play in play out. Can’t be up and down. Can’t be a guy that flashes on home games or at the end of the game,” Cignetti said. “Part of that is maturity. Growing up. He’s not a young guy anymore. I think Omar can be as good as he wants to be. And 98 percent of it’s right between his ears.”
Becker standing out
Indiana’s been thin at receiver after Michigan transfer Tyler Morris suffered a knee injury.
The Hoosiers have a clear starting group in Cooper, Sarratt, and Makai Jackson that figures to be among the best in the Big Ten. But the depth behind that trio has a lot of question marks, and IU is likely to readdress that issue in the spring transfer portal window.
But sophomore Charlie Becker is making the best of his opportunity for additional reps. Cignetti has been impressed with the Nashville native this spring.
“I’ve seen Becker take a step. Excited about his future,” Cignetti said. “Gives you good effort every day. Big, tall, he’s made some plays down the field, he’s tough. I like Becker.”
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