By Rob Gray, correspondent
AMES — Few accomplished sprinters stand 6-4 or taller, with eight-time Olympic Gold medalist Usain Bolt serving as an obvious outlier.
And while Iowa State’s Cooper Alexander is obviously no Bolt — not by the longest of long shots — the 6-4 tight end did qualify for the 2023 Oklahoma High School state meet in the 4 x 100, 4 x 200, and 4 x 400 meter relays.
“I was the second leg,” said Alexander, whose role in the Cyclones’ offense entering Saturday’s 11 a.m. regular season finale at Oklahoma State (1-10, 0-8 Big 12) is heightened because of Gabe Burkle’s season-ending leg injury sustained in the win at TCU. (ISU teammate) Major Cantrell, the (reserve) quarterback here, I went to high school with him, and he was the first leg. So he was handing me the baton.”
And?
“We weren’t the best, really, but we did make it to state,” Alexander added.
Alexander was, however, a highly-touted recruit who ESPN ranked as the 12th-best tight end in the class of 2024. And his pedestrian track career aside, he seemed poised to make an immediate impact for Matt Campbell’s Cyclones last season until he joined star linebacker Caleb Bacon in sustaining a season-ending injury in last season’s opener against North Dakota.
“Coop’s been really fun because he earned a spot to play last year as a true freshman, which in that tight end room even a year ago with Stevo (Klotz and others), it was loaded,” said Campbell, whose team (7-4, 4-4) seeks to close the regular season on a three-game upswing. “You would probably say at some point in fall camp a year ago that he was probably on the same path of what (former Freshman All-American) Ben (Brahmer) was as a true freshman, and that shoulder injury was really tough. We all made the collective decision to kind of shut Coop down and that’s hard. I think any young player that comes in and you’re hurt right away, especially when you experience a little success, it’s a real mental challenge.”
Alexander’s fully healthy now — and with Burkle out, it’s his time to shine alongside Brahmer and Tyler Moore. The 6-4, 245-pound redshirt freshman from Washington, Okla., has contributed modestly thus far, totaling five catches for 47 yards, but four of those grabs have come in the past three games — including a career-long 18-yard reception in last week’s 38-14 home win over Kansas.
“I didn’t really have a whole lot of confidence early (this) year,” Alexander said. “I think just the experience I’ve gotten throughout the year, playing a little bit more, I’m playing with a lot more confidence. So I think that’s the biggest improvement I’ve made.”
Campbell often says his players must “earn the right” to be confident, and Alexander fits that bill nicely. He’s skilled pass catcher and a solid blocker. He’s contributed on special teams and possesses a winning pedigree. Alexander’s father, Stephen, starred as a tight end for Oklahoma from 1994-97, and spent 10 seasons in the NFL, logging one Pro Bowl appearance.
“He’s had some good moments and he’s had some moments that are growing moments,” Campbell said of the younger Alexander. “It was great to see him (against Kansas) because, A, it was the most reps he’s played in a game, and, B, the most production that he’s had — and he’s earned it. He practices really well. I think he’s got a great future in front of him and we’re really excited about what Cooper brings to the table.”
That’s a lot of talent, along with surprising speed for his size. Alexander may be merely an above average sprinter, but he brings a fully-formed skillset to an already tight and productive tight ends room.
“We have a lot of love for each other and we make each other better,” Alexander said. “All of them have helped me a lot and I think we’re all just eager to help each other be the best we can be.”
