Garnet and Cocky
Fansided

South Carolina Football – Gamecocks in NFL Free Agency (Pt. II)

By Jacob Elsey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Cornerback Johnathan Joseph #24 of the Houston Texans breaks up a pass against wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Cornerback Johnathan Joseph #24 of the Houston Texans breaks up a pass against wide receiver Alshon Jeffery #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper #12 of the Arizona Cardinals runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 15: Wide receiver Pharoh Cooper #12 of the Arizona Cardinals runs the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

PHAROH COOPER (WR)

Cooper has signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers for the upcoming season.  Originally chosen in the 4th round of the 2016 draft by the St. Louis Rams, Cooper spent most of last season with the Arizona Cardinals before finishing the year with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 25-year-old wide receiver recorded 25 receptions for 243 yards and a TD in 2019, both career highs, while also fielding 17 punts and 25 kicks in the return game.

In 2017, Cooper earned All-Pro honors en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance as a special teamer.  That year, he totaled 399 yards returning 32 punts, to go along with 932 yards on 34 kick returns, including this 104-yd runback against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Signing with the Panthers means Cooper will be returning home to the Carolinas.   As a Gamecock, the Havelock, NC native was twice named all-conference as a receiver and return man.  As a sophomore, Cooper finished 2nd in the SEC with 1,136 receiving yards.  He followed that up with 973 yards as a junior.  The ultimate Swiss Army knife, Cooper finished his Gamecock career with 2,163 yards receiving, 513 yards rushing, 530 return yards, and even threw four TDs.

Click here to view Part I of the ‘Gamecocks in the NFL’ series

Home/South Carolina Football