In Cooper's first season in the 2020 COVID shortened year, he recorded two tackles in two games.[4] Cooper would have a breakout season in 2021, notching 58 tackles with 5.5 going for a loss, half a sack, a pass deflection, and an interception.[5] For his performance on the 2021 season, he was named to the SEC All Freshman Team.[6][7] In the Aggies 2022 season finale, Cooper forced a fumble, as he helped Texas A&M end their season with a win, beating LSU.[8] He finished the 2022 season with 61 tackles with eight being for a loss, five pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble.[9] Cooper returned to the Aggies for the 2023 season as one of their top defenders, notching his best performance versus Alabama where he had 11 tackles with three going for a loss, and three sacks.[10][11]
Making his first start, he was named Week 8 NFC Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in a 30–27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.[17] In Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks, returning from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss three weeks, Cooper had a team-leading seven tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, two pass deflections and an interception off Seahawks backup quarterback Sam Howell in a 30–13 win, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week.[18] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[19]
