League: NCAAF Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Jeremiah Cooper, Marcus Neal Jr. expected to enhance Penn State's safety depth

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 1:31 PM

Last updated Aug 30, 2026

College Sports

Summary

Jeremiah Cooper and Marcus Neal Jr., formerly of Iowa State, are poised to strengthen Penn State's secondary as the college football season approaches. Cooper, recovering from an ACL injury that cut short his senior season last year, is reportedly ready for game action in early September. Neal, recognized for his impressive performance, including 11 tackles for loss last season, is projected as a potential first-round NFL draft pick. The duo, along with safety Jamison Patton, provides Penn State with a versatile and experienced defensive backfield ahead of the upcoming games.

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Status Watch

•Cooper suffered an ACL injury during practice in September 2025.
•Penn State preseason games begin in early September.
•Neal recorded 77 tackles, tying for the team lead last season.
•Cooper has 32 career starts and eight interceptions to his name.
•Patton added depth after Cooper's injury, contributing 48 tackles.

Latest Updates

1:31 PMYahoo Sports — Penn State’s Jeremiah Cooper, Marcus Neal Jr. form talented duo at safety

What they're saying

"
The fall of 2025 was supposed to be special for Jeremiah Cooper and Iowa State. The Cyclones hoped to carry the momentum from the previous season when Cooper was a standout safety and they set a school record for wins. But with Iowa State at 4-0 in mid-September, Cooper’s senior season ended abruptly when he tore an ACL during a one-on-one drill in practice. It was the first serious injury he ...
— Yahoo Sports

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