Pharoh Cooper
{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Pharoh Cooper
| image = Pharoh Cooper (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Cooper with the Carolina Panthers in 2020
| current_team =
| number = 10, 12, 16, 14, 83, 15
| position = Wide receiver
Return specialist
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|3|7}}
| birth_place = Havelock, North Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 210
| high_school = Havelock
| college = South Carolina (2013–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 117
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Jacksonville Jaguars ({{NFL Year|2021}})*
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2021}})
- Arizona Cardinals ({{NFL Year|2022}})
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 61
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 545
| statlabel3 = Return yards
| statvalue3 = 3,954
| statlabel4 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue4 = 2
| pfr = C/CoopPh00
}}
Pharoh Cooper (born March 7, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants.
Early life
Cooper's father, grandfather, and brother all served in the Marine Corps. Cooper attended Havelock High School in Havelock, North Carolina. He played quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and defensive back.{{Cite web |last=Ken Buday, Havelock News |title=Cooper helps Rams get back to state title game |url=http://www.havenews.com/sports/local/cooper-helps-rams-get-back-to-state-title-game-1.56053 |website=Havelock News}} He was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit.{{Cite web |title=Pharoh Cooper |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/player-Pharoh-Cooper-135226}} He committed to the University of South Carolina to play college football.
College career
Cooper attended and played college football for the University of South Carolina. He was originally a defensive back before moving to wide receiver prior to the start of his freshman season.{{Cite web |title=USC's Cooper enjoying switch from defense to offense |url=http://www.goupstate.com/article/20131009/ARTICLES/131009671 |website=GoUpstate.com}} He played in 11 of 13 games his freshman season. He had three receptions for 54 receiving yards, 202 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown and also completed two of three pass attempts for 29 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |last=Honeycutt |first=Jordan |title=Football: Cooper a crucial part of Gamecocks' offense |url=http://www.newbernsj.com/sports/local/football-cooper-a-crucial-part-of-gamecocks-offense-1.343994 |website=New Bern Sun Journal}}{{Cite web |title=USC's Pharoh Cooper steps up on offense |url=http://www.goupstate.com/article/20141029/ARTICLES/141029517?tc=ar |website=GoUpstate.com}} Against Tennessee during his sophomore year in 2014, Cooper set the school single-game receiving yards record with 233.{{cite web | last=Goodbread | first=Chase | title=South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper has record night in defeat | website=NFL.com | date=2014-11-01 | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/south-carolina-wr-pharoh-cooper-has-record-night-in-defeat-0ap3000000420908 | access-date=2024-12-14}} In the 2014 Independence Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes, he had nine receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown and was named the game's MVP.{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2014 |title=USC's Pharoh Cooper caps impressive season with MVP performance |url=http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/usc/2014/12/28/uscs-pharoh-cooper-caps-impressive-season-mvp-performance/20962639/ |website=The Greenville News}}{{Cite web |last=Vines |first=Matt |date=2014-12-28 |title=Cooper makes statement to cap dream season |url=https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/sports/college/2014/12/27/pharoh-cooper-south-carolina/20957451/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Shreveport Times}} For the season, Cooper appeared in all 13 games and was named first team All-SEC after recording 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Cooper named first-team All-SEC |url=http://www.gogamecocks.com/2014/12/08/654446/cooper-named-first-team-all-sec.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150211095158/http://www.gogamecocks.com/2014/12/08/654446/cooper-named-first-team-all-sec.html |archive-date=February 11, 2015}} He also ran for 200 yards with two rushing touchdowns and passed for 78 yards and two touchdowns. As a junior in 2015, Cooper had 873 receiving yards along with 111 rushing yards with 9 total touchdowns. He also had 55 return yards on 12 punt return opportunities. After his junior year, he announced his intentions to enter the 2016 NFL draft.
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11+1/8
| weight = 203
| vertical = 31
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 7
| bench = 15
| arm span = 32+1/4
| hand span = 9+1/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles – Pharoh Cooper |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/pharoh-cooper?id=2555419#tabs:tab-overview |publisher=National Football League}}
}}
=Los Angeles Rams=
Cooper was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round with the 117th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2016 |title=2016 NFL Draft: Los Angeles Rams Select South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper |url=http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2016/4/30/11544740/2016-nfl-draft-los-angeles-rams-select-south-carolina-wr-pharoh-cooper |access-date=May 29, 2017 |website=TurfShowTimes.com}} On June 9, 2016, Cooper signed a four-year contract with the team. He played in 10 games with three starts in his rookie season, recording 14 receptions for 106 yards while fulfilling kick return and occasional punt return duties.
Following a 16–10 loss to Seattle in Week 5 of 2017, Cooper replaced a struggling Tavon Austin as the Rams' primary return man. In Week 6 of the 2017 season, Cooper scored the first NFL touchdown of his career with a 103-yard kick return touchdown to start the game in a 27–17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, earning him NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.{{Cite web |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Adrian Peterson among the NFL Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/adrian-peterson-among-the-nfl-players-of-the-week-0ap3000000863396 |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=NFL.com}} On December 19, 2017, Cooper was selected to the 2018 Pro Bowl as a return specialist.{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2017 |title=NFL announces 2018 Pro Bowl rosters |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/updated-player-rosters-for-2018-pro-bowl-in-orlando-0ap3000000895772 |access-date=December 26, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}
On September 12, 2018, Cooper was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=September 12, 2018 |title=Rams Sign JoJo Natson, Move Pharoh Cooper to I.R. |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-sign-jojo-natson-move-pharoh-cooper-to-i-r |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=TheRams.com}} He was activated off injured reserve on November 19, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Dennis |first=Clarence |date=November 19, 2018 |title=Rams Activate WR Pharoh Cooper, Move Kupp to Injured Reserve |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-activate-wr-pharoh-cooper-move-kupp-to-injured-reserve |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=TheRams.com}} On December 18, 2018, Cooper was released by the Rams.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Rams Waive WR Pharoh Cooper |url=https://www.therams.com/news/rams-waive-wr-pharoh-cooper |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=TheRams.com}}
=Arizona Cardinals (first stint)=
On December 19, 2018, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=December 19, 2018 |title=Cardinals Claim Wide Receiver Pharoh Cooper |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-claim-wide-receiver-pharoh-cooper |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=AZCardinals.com}} Appearing in two games, he returned six punts for 67 yards.
On August 30, 2019, Cooper was released by the Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Nash |first=Anthony |date=August 30, 2019 |title=Pharoh Cooper released by the Arizona Cardinals |url=https://clutchpoints.com/cardinals-news-pharoh-cooper-released-by-arizona/ |access-date=August 30, 2019 |website=Clutch Points}}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
On September 1, 2019, Cooper was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.{{Cite web |last=Roling |first=Chris |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Report: Bengals claim WR Pharoh Cooper, RB Samaje Perine on waivers |url=https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2019/09/01/nfl-waiver-wire-bengals-claim-pharaoh-cooper-samaje-perine/ |access-date=September 1, 2019 |website=Bengals Wire |publisher=USA Today}} He saw limited action in the Bengals' season-opening 21–20 loss at the Seattle Seahawks, but recorded no receptions or yards. After being inactive for Week 2's game against the San Francisco 49ers, Cooper was waived on September 17, 2019.{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2019 |title=Bengals Make Player Moves |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-make-player-moves |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=Bengals.com}}
=Arizona Cardinals (second stint)=
On October 1, 2019, Cooper was re-signed by the Cardinals.{{Cite web |last=Urban |first=Darren |date=October 1, 2019 |title=Cardinals Add Familiar Face At Receiver, Sign Pharoh Cooper |url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-add-familiar-face-at-receiver-sign-pharoh-cooper |access-date=November 21, 2020 |website=AZCardinals.com}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On March 20, 2020, Cooper signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.{{Cite web |last=Bryan |first=Will |date=March 20, 2020 |title=Panthers sign wide receiver Pharoh Cooper |url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-sign-wide-receiver-pharoh-cooper |access-date=March 21, 2020 |website=Panthers.com}}
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
On June 3, 2021, Cooper signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{cite web|title=Official: Jaguars sign WR Pharoh Cooper|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-jaguars-sign-wr-pharoh-cooper|website=Jaguars.com|date=June 3, 2021}} He was released on August 31, 2021.{{cite web|title=Roster Moves: Jaguars Reduce Roster to 53|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jaguars-reduce-roster-to-53|website=Jaguars.com|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=September 2, 2021|archive-date=September 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902030149/https://www.jaguars.com/news/roster-moves-jaguars-reduce-roster-to-53|url-status=dead}}
=New York Giants=
On November 3, 2021, Cooper was signed to the practice squad of the New York Giants.{{cite web|title=Giants begin Raiders prep with 3 players in COVID protocol|url=https://www.giants.com/news/las-vegas-raiders-nfl-covid-protocol-saquon-barkley-xavier-mckinney|author= Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=November 3, 2021}} For Week 9 game against the Las Vegas Raiders Cooper was elevated from the practice squad.{{cite web|title=LB Trent Harris, WR Pharoh Cooper elevated from practice squad; LB Elerson Smith activated|url=https://www.giants.com/news/lb-trent-harris-wr-pharoh-cooper-elevated-from-practice-squad-lb-elerson-smith|author=Elsen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=November 6, 2021}} Cooper was activated from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement for the games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Philadelphia Eagles.{{cite web|title=OT Andrew Thomas activated ahead of MNF|url=https://www.giants.com/news/andrew-thomas-trent-harris-pharoh-cooper-roster-tampa-bay-buccaneers|author= Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=November 22, 2021}}{{cite web|title= Giants activate Pharoh Cooper, Steven Parker from practice squad|url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/28/new-york-giants-activate-pharoh-cooper-steven-parker-practice-squad/|author= Benton, Dan|website=Giantswire.com|date=November 28, 2021}} On December 4, 2021, Cooper was elevated from the practice squad for the game against the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web|title=Giants Add DB Steven Parker to 53-man Roster|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/gm-report/giants-add-db-steven-parker-to-53-man-roster|author= Benton, Dan|website=Giantswire.com|date=December 4, 2021}} On December 11, 2021, Cooper was activated from the practice squad as a COVID-19 replacement for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers.{{cite web|title=Giants elevate Pharoh Cooper, Jarren Williams from practice squad|url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2021/12/12/new-york-giants-elevate-pharoh-cooper-jarren-williams-practice-squad/|author= Benton, Dan|website=Giantswire.com|date=December 12, 2021}} His contract expired when the team's season ended on January 9, 2022.
=Arizona Cardinals (third stint)=
On November 23, 2022, the Cardinals signed Cooper to their practice squad.{{cite web|title=Cardinals Bring Back Pharoh Cooper To Practice Squad|url=https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-bring-back-pharoh-cooper-to-practice-squad|author=Urban, Darren|website=azcardinals.com|date=November 23, 2022}} He was promoted to the active roster on December 28.{{Cite web |date=December 28, 2022 |title=Cardinals sign Cooper to 53-man roster, add long snapper Bradley |url=https://arizonasports.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/cardinals-long-snapper-hunter-bradley-sign-pharoh-cooper-roster/3443359/ |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=Arizona Sports}}
On June 10, 2024, Cooper announced his retirement from professional football.{{cite tweet|user=@KingTutt_chdown|number=1800237161008050529|title=Farewell football, I'm officially retiring from the NFL. I'm forever grateful and give all the glory to God that I was able to live out my childhood dream. I appreciate all the love and support I've received from my family, friends, and fans through out my career. Much love.}}{{cite web|title=Veteran receiver and returner Pharoh Cooper announces his retirement|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/veteran-receiver-and-returner-pharoh-cooper-announces-his-retirement|author=Smith, Michael David|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=June 11, 2024}}
NFL career statistics
= Regular season =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kickoff return ! colspan="5"| Punt return ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2016 || LAR
| 10 || 3 || 14 || 106 || 7.6 || 23 || 0 || 14 || 323 || 23.1 || 51 || 0 || 5 || 5 || 1.0 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 || LAR
| 16 || 1 || 11|| 84 || 7.6 || 26 || 0 || 34 || 932 || 27.4 || 103 || 1 || 32 || 399 || 12.5 || 53 || 0 || 3 ||2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2018 || LAR
| 5 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 13 || 277 || 21.3 || 28 || 0 || 2 || 12 || 6.0 || 12 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ARI
| 2 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 6 || 67 || 11.2 || 45 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| 2019 || CIN
| 1 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ARI
| 13 || 1 || 25 || 243 || 9.7 || 28 || 1 || 25 || 561 || 22.4 || 39 || 0 || 17 || 129 || 7.6 || 29 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 || CAR
| 16 || 1 || 5 || 73 || 14.6 || 32 || 0 || 18 || 430 || 23.9 || 38 || 0 || 20 || 117 || 5.9 || 20 || 0 || 1 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 || NYG
| 8 || 0 || 4 || 33 || 8.3 || 15 || 0 || 12 || 207 || 17.3 || 26 || 0 || 11 || 90 || 8.2 || 17 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 || ARI
| 5 || 1 || 2 || 6 || 3.0 || 3 || 0 || 12 || 288 || 24.0 || 33 || 0 || 9 || 117 || 13.0 || 28 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Total || 75 || 7 || 61 || 545 || 8.9 || 32 || 1 || 128 || 3,018 || 23.6 || 103 || 1 || 102 || 936 || 9.2 || 53 || 0 || 5 || 2 |
= Postseason =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Receiving ! colspan="5"| Kickoff return ! colspan="5"| Punt return ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Ret | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2017 || LAR
| 1 || 0 || — || — || — || — || — || 6 || 120 || 20.0 || 26 || 0 || 4 || 7 || 1.8 || 9 || 0 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="2" | Total || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 6 || 120 || 20.0 || 26 || 0 || 4 || 7 || 1.8 || 9 || 0 || 1 || 1 |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/pharoh_cooper_854486.html South Carolina Gamecocks bio]
{{Rams2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cooper, Pharoh}}
Category:American football return specialists
Category:American football running backs
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:People from Havelock, North Carolina
Category:Players of American football from North Carolina
Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players
Category:Los Angeles Rams players
Category:Arizona Cardinals players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Jacksonville Jaguars players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen