Cooper, who grew up in South Florida, is the nephew of MLB player Lewis Brinson, and Cooper's father and brothers also each played football.[1] He grew up playing football and in youth leagues played "nearly every position on the football field".[2] He first attended Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale where he played football as a running back and safety, posting 49 tackles and four interceptions as a sophomore.[3] He then transferred to Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood, Florida, for his junior year.[3]
Cooper played running back and linebacker at Chaminade-Madonna, winning the state 1A championship in 2024 after running for 905 yards and 13 touchdowns along with posting 46 tackles, four sacks and four pass breakups.[4] Prior to his senior year, he was selected to compete at the Under Armour All-America Game and was named the most valuable running back at the Rivals 5-star camp.[5] He ran for 1,597 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior, helping Chaminade-Madonna to an appearance in the state title game, and was named the Broward 4A-1A offensive player of the year and the winner of the Nat Moore Trophy as the best high school football player in South Florida.[6] At Chaminade-Madonna, Cooper also competed in track and field, earning all-county honors in the 4 × 100 metres relay.[7]
Cooper was ranked by ESPN as a five-star prospect and the number one running back recruit in the class of 2026.[8] He committed to play college football for the Texas Longhorns.[9]