Georgia Southern University Athletics

2018-19: Played in eight games … Was on the field for 321 snaps (243 defensive, 78 special teams) … Had 21 tackles on the season, including 2.5 for loss and a sack … Also had a pass breakup … Started the season with five tackles, including one for loss, and a forced fumble against South Carolina State …  Recorded two assisted tackles against both South Alabama and New Mexico State … Had five tackles, including one for loss, against Troy … Had a solo stop in the Camellia Bowl against Eastern Michigan.


2017-18: Played in and started all 12 games … Was on the field for 629 snaps (582 defensive, 47 special teams) … Tallied 26 tackles on the season, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks … Also had seven pass break ups and nine quarterback hurries … Recorded a forced fumble and a fumble recovery … Forced a fumble and had a solo tackle against Auburn … Had half a sack for a loss of 3 yards against New Mexico State … Had a tackle for a loss of a yard against Coastal Carolina … Had three quarterback hurries each against both New Mexico State and Troy … Recovered a fumble and returned it 12 yards against South Alabama.


2016-17: Redshirted.


2015-16: Played at Co-Lin Community College for Coach Glenn Davis … A three-star recruit as rated by ESPN Recruiting Nation and Rivals … Listed as the No. 30 overall JUCO player and the No. 4 JUCO outside linebacker in the country by 247Sports … Rated as the No. 9 JUCO defensive end in the country by ESPN.


2014-15: Played at Co-Lin Community College.


HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Columbia High, helping the program to a 6-4 overall record and to a play-in game against Banneker to qualify for the Class 4A playoffs as a senior … A three-star recruit according to Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … Earned a place on the Georgia Sports Writers Association Class AAAA All-State First-Team Defense … Selected to play in the Georgia-Florida All-Star Game after final season … Helped defense allow 198 points in 10 games, an average of 19.8 per contest, in 2013 … Unit posted one shutout (McNair) and held two foes under 10 points during senior year … Tallied 49 tackles, 17.0 hits for lost yardage, 16.0 sacks, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during senior year … On offense, made 18 receptions for 335 yards and three touchdowns … As a junior, booked 63 tackles with 6.0 sacks and four forced fumbles and helped the Eagles go 5-5 … Contributed on offense with 123 receiving yards and two scores … Defense surrendered 174 points, an average of 17.4 a contest … Squad limited four opponents to eight or fewer points during the campaign … Also suited up for the basketball squad at Columbia … Won the Georgia High School Association Class 4A state championship first two years before falling to Eagle’s Landing 61-47 as a junior … Signed with Mississippi State out of high school.


PERSONAL: Born Deshon Devonta Cooper on July 9 in Decatur, GA … Son of Thomas Cooper and Verinda Blakely … Has one sister, Cyntrall Blakely.


MAJOR: Interdisciplinary Studies