On3 5-Star Countdown: No. 27, Penn State IOL signee Cooper Cousins

On3 has released its final recruiting ranking for the 2024 class after the completion of the high school football season and all-star competitions. Erie (Pa.) offensive lineman and Penn State signee Cooper Cousins ranks No. 27 overall and five-stars in the 2024 On300.

He jumps up more than 80 spots in the final rankings after checking in at No. 110 previously.

The latest edition of On3’s 2024 rankings features 32 five-star players, up from 21 in the penultimate update in November. Of those 32 prospects, 29 are signed to college programs, with three still yet to make their decisions official.

This final update comes after the end of the high school playoffs and postseason All-American games, where top prospects across the country faced off in a week of practices and ended with nationally televised games.

Cousins committed to the Nittany Lions in January 2022 over offers from Pittsburgh, Toledo, Kentucky and a number of other programs.

“He also was, really what I could say about a lot of these guys, he was a high production, highly rated guy who was low maintenance,” Penn State head coach James Franklin said of Cousins. “I mean literally we offered him, they all looked at us, the whole family, you walked around the corner… I think we did this, I want to say it was maybe during COVID or somewhere around that time, because I think we were meeting outside. I’m trying to remember. And he walked away and came back like four minutes later and said, ‘We’re coming.’ And that was the end of it.

Cooper Cousins Scouting Summary

Big, physical offensive lineman with the skills and positional versatility to be a game-changer along the interior. Measured in at north of 6-foot-6 and around 305 pounds prior to his senior season. Has solid length for an interior offensive lineman with arms over 33 inches. Has a rock solid build without much bad weight. Has seen significant action as a high school center and enters college with advanced skills for the position. A weapon in the run game. Overwhelms smaller defensive linemen at the point of attack. Has good bend and flexibility that he uses to get underneath defenders.

Uses his core strength to drive through and uproot defensive linemen with his blocks. Naturally strong and shows a powerful punch. Moves well when working to the second level. Backs up the movement on film with solid athleticism in the combine setting. Also seeing time on the defensive line as a senior, making plays behind the line of scrimmage due to his strength and movement skills. Has a high floor and notable upside as a big center prospect who would give an offensive line a big, physical presence in the run game. Could also line up at guard or tackle depending on need. Will need to adjust to an uptick in competition but has the build and physical development to potentially contribute early in his college career.