NFL World Shows Love To Eagles UDFA WR Darius Cooper

The 2025 National Football League 53-man roster deadline has come and passed.

Teams had until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to finalize their 53-man rosters. That doesn't mean that the roster tinkering is done across the league, but it's a big step in that direction. As reports started to come in on Monday and Tuesday about the cuts made to Philly's roster, one name that notably was absent was undrafted rookie receiver Darius Cooper.

He quickly acclimated himself into the Eagles' receiver room this offseason after signing with Philadelphia out of Tarleton State University. Obviously, not as big-name of a school as fans are likely used to reading, but talent speaks. He had 1,450 receiving yards on 76 catches last year to go along with 14 touchdowns in 14 games played.

Eagles UDFA rookie steals show; makes initial 53-man roster

Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper (41) in action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Reports popped up on Tuesday that Cooper made the Eagles' 53-man roster.

Sources: UDFA WR Darius Cooper has made the initial 53-man roster.

Philly’s WR room:
🏈 A.J. Brown
🏈 DeVonta Smith
🏈 Jahan Dotson
🏈 John Metchie III
🏈 Darius Cooper pic.twitter.com/fbSUAylV3Q
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) August 26, 2025

In the immediate aftermath, fans took to social media about the news with praise left and right for the young playmaker.

Darius Cooper What a story man

No Combine
No Senior Bowl
No one knew about him.
Small school kid

A Howie 💎
— Anthony Pasillas (@Anthony17972301) August 26, 2025

Darius Cooper making the Eagles roster is one of the coolest stories in the entire NFL.

Excited to see what he can bring this season.
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) August 26, 2025

Darius Cooper is obviously going to be a HOF WR now.
— John Barchard | Watching the Birds 🦅 (@JohnBarchard) August 26, 2025

darius cooper is the kind of dude who it is just effortless to root for. wishing him a lengthy and successful NFL career, starting this year with our birds
— zack wheeler stan accont (WIN IT FOR WHEELS ❤️🕊️) (@tnol_) August 26, 2025

So pumped for Darius Cooper. Came in undrafted and proved he deserved a roster spot https://t.co/ZAA4EdPh88
— Mike Rotolo (@MikeRotolo35) August 26, 2025

Darius Cooper made the 53 man roster. The 23 year old undrafted rookie from Tarleton State just beat the odds. Now officially apart of the reigning Super Bowl champs.
— Real Talk With MJ Podcast (@RealTalkWithMJ1) August 26, 2025

The posts just keep going on and on. Cooper entered camp with little fanfare and immediately caught the attention of the Eagles' fanbase.

In the Eagles' first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Cooper racked up six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He finished the preseason with another catch for eight yards in the finale. Clearly, he did enough throughout the games and on the practice field to catch the attention of Nick Sirianni, Howie Roseman, and the team in general.

Cooper is a great story, but the story isn't what got him on the Eagles' initial roster. There's a lot of work left to do, but he showed a little bit of everything throughout the summer and earned the opportunity. The Eagles' receiver room has been talked about a lot and there were cuts over the last few days, including Terrace Marshall, who was an early camp standout. But, Cooper was the guy and now he has a chance with the reigning champs.

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