Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532761
1 6 M A R C H 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M A year ago, Cooper Cousins was one of the stars of Penn State's 2024 recruiting class, a five-star prospect from Mc- Dowell High in Erie, Pa., who had enrolled early and was viewed by many as a likely contributor — perhaps even a starter — in the middle of Penn State's offensive line. Cousins didn't end up starting; then-senior Nick Dawkins won the first-team center job in the offseason and went on to become an honorable mention All-Big Ten choice. But Cous- ins did see more than the usual amount of playing time for a true freshman offensive lineman. He appeared in all 16 games, playing guard and center and totaling 172 snaps on offense and another 140 on special teams. During his first year at PSU, Cousins came to be known for his intense work ethic. Coach James Franklin said last fall that his assistant coaches sometimes had to tell the 6-foot-6, 316-pound freshman to leave the Lasch complex and get some sleep. This year, that sense of determination figures to help Cousins play a much bigger role in the rotation up front. While Dawkins returns at center for his graduate season and redshirt junior Olaivavega Ioane is back at left guard, the Nittany Lions have a vacancy at the opposite guard spot, with Sal Wormley having exhausted his eligibility. Super senior JB Nelson and transfer TJ Shanahan Jr. could also be in the running to take over for Wormley, but Cousins figures to make a push. The rising sophomore lineman recently talked to reporters about his first year with the Nittany Lions and his hopes for the 2025 season. QUESTION: There were points last year when the coaches were telling you to get off the practice field, go home, go to bed. How did you develop that work ethic? COUSINS: "I think the reason why I work as hard as I do is because of my mother and father. They sacrificed a lot for me. My dad was a prison guard. He's now retired. My mom is a reading spe- cialist at an elementary school. Just seeing how they sacrificed for our family, seeing how they worked so hard just to provide a great life for our family — it was amazing to see the stuff that they did. "This is my family now [at Penn State], and I'm taking some of the stuff that they did and trying to implement it here. That's why I do what I do, because of my mother and father." QUESTION: Where are you most comfortable, center or guard? COUSINS: "Wherever my coaches want me to play, that's where I'll be comfortable. Doesn't mat- ter. Wherever you want me, I'll be comfortable at it." QUESTION: How ready are you to compete for a starting role, and what will it take to earn that role? COUSINS: "I'm ready … You've got to work hard, you've got to be consistent, and you've got to have great technique. Those are the three things." QUESTION: What has Nick Dawkins taught you during your time at Penn State? COUSINS: "How to be a leader, how to grow, how to refine your process, how to know your weaknesses, how to work the right way and how to watch film the right way. Really, a lot. With him coming back for another season, I get to learn more from him and see more of what he does, which is huge for me." QUESTION: What about Sal Wormley and Vega Ioane? They've both been key guys at the guard spots. What have you picked up from them? COUSINS: "Sal's a guy that I could say the same exact thing about, and Vega is another guy I can say that about. Those are guys who have really done a great job, as you see, and like I said, being able to pick up parts of their process and implement it into my process and my game is huge." Sitting Down With Sophomore Offensive Lineman Cooper Cousins A five-star signee from McDowell High in Erie, Pa., Cousins saw action on 312 total snaps — offense and special teams — during his freshman season, including 15 snaps in Penn State's College Football Playoff opener against SMU. PHOTO BY STEVE MANUEL