ESPN’s Pete Thamel is reporting through sources IU wide receiver Omar Cooper, Jr. will be back to 100 percent for the Rose Bowl.
“Indiana leading WR Omar Cooper is back to full speed for the Hoosiers. He’s expected to be at full availability for the Rose Bowl against Alabama. He’d been trending this way since a lower-body injury against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game,” Thamel wrote Monday on X.
This reporting puts the final bow on what we’ve observed over the last week.
The Daily Hoosier saw Cooper participating in practice during an open session on Sunday. He was also included in a practice highlight video produced by IU Athletics.
Cooper injured what appeared to be his right ankle during the first quarter of IU’s 13-10 Big Ten Championship win over the Buckeyes and did not return to the contest.
A redshirt junior from Indianapolis, Cooper leads IU both in receptions (58) and receiving yards (804). He has 11 touchdowns. He has also carried the ball three times for 74 yards and another score.
Cooper’s 2025 receptions, yards and scores are all career highs.
“He’s an explosive guy. He’s really good after the catch, and just has a lot of potential and ability,” IU coach Curt Cignetti said last week. “And he’s become more consistent. Still has more consistency, steps in consistency he can take. But I’ve seen him really progress and evolve.”
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