Mookie Cooper injury update: Eli Drinkwitz confirms season-ending surgery

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed Tuesday that receiver Mookie Cooper had season-ending surgery for an undisclosed injury. Unfortunately, that will also be the end his career in Columbia as he is set to graduate this year.

Drinkwitz announced the news at the beginning of his press conference and was emotional while describing what Cooper has come to mean to the Tigers.

“Obviously, Mookie’s a very special player to us and myself,” he said. “He came here as a transfer and again, was one of those guys that chose Mizzou when we needed him the most. His last real play of the year is gonna be remembered as the one that sparked us to beat Auburn.

“I’ve got a ton of respect for Mookie, the way he goes about his business, commitment to our team and unselfishness. We’re certainly going to miss him. I’m very proud of him.”

Mookie Cooper is a local product out of Trinity Catholic High School in St. Louis who spent his first season at Ohio State before transferring to Missouri in 2021. He ranked as the No. 73 overall player and No. 13 receiver in the 2020 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Cooper would go on to appear in 40 games across his four-year career with the Tigers. He ends his career with 91 catches for 1,171 yards and one touchdown.

The receiver has missed each of the past four games, so the announcement doesn’t come as a surprise. He had 12 catches for 235 yards in the seven contests he appeared in this season.

Saturday marks Senior Day for the Tigers as they have a game against Arkansas. Although Cooper will not be available to play in that game, he surely will be honored along with the rest of the senior.

Kickoff between Missouri and Arkansas is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in Columbia.