Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1544665
5 6 M A Y 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State's new coaching staff has a strong track record of developing tight ends, and it added a good one on April 13 when consensus four-star prospect Cooper Terwilliger announced that he was joining the Nittany Lions' 2027 recruiting class. A 6-foot-4, 215-pound prospect from T.F. Riggs High in Pierre, S.D., Terwilliger earned his first scholarship offer from Taylor Mouser in April 2024, back when Mouser was getting ready for his first season as Iowa State's offensive coordinator. After receiving the offer, Terwil- liger attended two Cyclones games and formed a strong relationship with Mouser, head coach Matt Campbell and members of Iowa State's recruiting staff. C a m p b e l l a n d M o u s e r headed to Penn State this past December, and it was no surprise that Terwilliger was one of the first 2027 prospects to pick up an offer from the Nittany Lions' new staff. He visited State College for the first time at the end of January, and it soon became clear the Lions would be serious con- tenders for Terwilliger's signature. "Mouser and Campbell have both been recruiting me for almost three years, once we get to the spring," Ter- williger said. "Mouser has been to Pierre multiple times, and I've visited them at Iowa State multiple times. Coach Campbell was also out at my high school game this past fall, so there's definitely a good relationship with them that goes back some time now. I've been close with them. They're definitely among just a few coaches that I've had a relationship with for that amount of time." At o n e p o i n t , Te r w i l - liger listed Iowa, Michigan and Nebraska as three other schools he was seriously considering. That changed in January. Three days after Ter- williger returned from Penn State, Notre Dame joined the competition for his services and instantly became a top contender. The offer from the Fighting Irish prompted him to visit South Bend the week- end of March 21-22. In the end, though, Ter- williger's relationship with Mouser and many others who now work in the Lasch Building proved to be the difference. It also didn't hurt that Penn State has a major need at the position. Incoming transfers Gabe Burkle and Benjamin Brahmer are en- tering their final season of eligibility this fall, while both Andrew Rapplyea and Finn Furmanek are coming up on their redshirt junior years. Terwilliger caught 38 passes for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns as a junior, helping T.F. Riggs win its eighth state championship in the past nine seasons. He's listed by Rivals' scouts as the No. 239 overall prospect and No. 10 tight end nationally, as well as the No. 2 prospect in South Dakota. He's a bit higher in the Rivals Industry Ranking, which factors in the grades from Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN. There, Terwilliger is ranked No. 215 nationally, No. 9 among tight ends and No. 1 in his home state. ■ Coveted South Dakota Tight End Chooses Lions RYA N S N Y D E R | RYA N . S N Y D E R @ O N 3 . C O M Terwilliger was a key part of a state championship team at T.F. Riggs High in South Dakota last season, finishing his junior campaign with 38 catches for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns. PHOTO COURTESY INSIDENEBRASKA.COM COMMITMENT PROFILE COOPER TERWILLIGER Penn State wants big, physical and explosive vertical threats to attack downfield. The pass catchers will do more than that, of course, but it's an important part of what this staff looks for in the passing game. If there's one thing Cooper Terwilliger does, it's dominate downfield. He's an inviting target down the seam and a player who can win in jump-ball situations with a big frame and great hands. Terwilliger has the profile of a classic inline tight end. He will likely develop into a 255-plus-pound player with the ability to catch and block at an equally high level. His vertical receiving skills will make him a mismatch against linebackers in the passing game and safeties in the run game. The question will be how he develops physically. If he improves his flexibility and can loosen his stiff hips and lower back, he could become a much more dynamic athlete. At a little over 6-foot-4, he's not too tall to play H-back and serve as an intermediate passing game threat with a more well-rounded profile. — Thomas Frank Carr P L A Y E R E V A L U A T I O N