Texas Southern QB KJ Cooper Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

HOUSTON - KJ Cooper, the starting quarterback for Texas Southern University, announced on Instagram that he has entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The redshirt junior from El Paso, Texas, joined TSU two seasons ago after transferring from Minnesota State C&TC when head coach Cris Dishman took over the Tigers football program.

The coaching staff held Cooper out of the 2025 season finale against Alabama A&M. He finished the year playing in 10 games, completing 158 passes for 1,626 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also rushed 77 times for 292 yards and four scores.

Cooper leaves Texas Southern having appeared in 12 games. Last season, he played in two contests. His most notable outing came in the 39th Labor Day Classic, where he led the Tigers to their first win over Prairie View A&M after eight straight losses.

Texas Southern quarterback KJ Cooper at 40th Labor Day Classic Press Conference | Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

During the 2024 season, Cooper recorded 19 completions for 180 yards and one touchdown and added six carries for 52 yards.

JORDAN 'POP' DAVIS

Texas Southern may turn to redshirt sophomore Jordan Davis, who delivered a strong performance in the win over Alabama A&M. Davis completed 11 of 20 passes for 158 yards and one touchdown and rushed 13 times for 62 yards and another score as TSU defeated the Bulldogs 24-7.

QB Jordan Davis - Texas Southern Tigers — Nov. 22, 2025; QB Jordan Davis leads Texas Southern Tigers to a victory over Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Shell Energy Stadium. | Credit: Zay Boyle, HBCU Legends

Davis has appeared in 16 games since the 2023 season, throwing for 624 yards with 54 completions, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has also rushed for 350 yards and three touchdowns in his TSU career.

A NEW TIGERS QB

Texas Southern also received a commitment from quarterback Jeremiah Harrell of Tupelo, Mississippi. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound signal-caller committed on National Signing Day after leaving Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Harrell completed 118 passes for 1,487 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions at NMCC, posting a quarterback efficiency rating of 120.8. His best outing came against Itawamba Community College, when he went 9 of 16 for 197 yards and three touchdowns.

Welcome @behumble_jerm to the TRE ‼️#TSUntamed26 #TheSauceU pic.twitter.com/lVZsjz7UOS
— Texas Southern Football (@TSUFootball) December 3, 2025

Cooper helped Texas Southern reach its first winning season in more than 25 years, finishing 6-5. Dishman and his staff continue to build the roster, especially after the departures of senior defensive leaders DL Michael Akins and LB Isaiah Bogerty who plans to transfer.

Dishman will enter his third season of a four-year, $313,000 contract. Meanwhile, crosstown rival Prairie View A&M claimed the SWAC Championship and is headed to the 2025 Celebration Bowl under first-year head coach Tremaine Jackson. TSU hopes 2026 will be the season it breaks through for a SWAC title and an HBCU national championship berth.

Published 3 hours ago | Modified 3 hours ago

KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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