Over his first three years playing for Indiana, Omar Cooper improved every year as an outside receiver.
However, after a breakout season as a junior, which garnered him some national attention, he was asked to change positions in the spring, entering his senior campaign.
Michigan transfer Tyler Morris, who was slotted to play in the slot for the Hoosiers in 2025, suffered a season-ending injury in spring practice.
After trying out a couple of other receivers in the slot to replace Morris, Indiana coach Curt Cignetti decided to move Cooper in there.
“Cooper seemed the most comfortable,” Cignetti said after the decision.
While Cooper is the consummate team player, he did have some reservations about making a position change entering his final campaign in Bloomington.
“At first, I didn’t want to play slot,” Cooper said.
But those feelings wore off quickly when he realized what a good fit he is at the position.
“It allows my game to be more open and involved,” Cooper said.
And the position change seemed to take his game to another level, finishing last season with 69 catches and 13 TDs, not only helping the Hoosiers win a national championship, but also elevating him into a first-round prospect, whom the Jets picked 30th overall in 2026.
Fox Sports’ college football analyst Joel Klatt feels Cooper’s skill set is perfect for the slot.
“He can work the middle of the field – great hands, smart player,” Klatt said. “Omar Cooper is a player I think could be a real value on the interior of a passing game (in the NFL). Really powerful lower half, that is what you want when you are talking about the slot wide receivers.”
Clearly, Cooper no longer has reservations about playing the slot.
“I’m actually glad they made that decision,” Cooper said.
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