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Javeion Cooper’s birthday gift to his mother was an offer from Syracuse. Already with four college offers, the offensive lineman received a call from SU’s lead Florida recruiter Thomas Caporale just before midnight on Feb. 18, 2024.

The call to Cooper was random. He knew nothing about Syracuse. At the time, he said he didn’t even know there were colleges in New York. The offer reassured Cooper’s mother, Javara Thomas, that he’d break the family’s “generational curse” of attending a four-year college, acting as a present leading into her birthday.

“It made my heart smile,” Thomas said.

A four-star recruit out of Melbourne Central Catholic High School in Melbourne, Florida, Cooper committed to the Orange in December following their upset victory over then-No. 6 Miami. The 6-foot-4, 295-pound offensive tackle is the highest-rated offensive player in SU’s 2026 class — the third-best class in the Atlantic Coast Conference — and is set to fortify its offensive line beginning in 2026.

Cooper sits just behind edge rusher Jarius Rodgers, a fellow Florida native, at the top of SU’s 2026 class. He’s recently corralled offers from top schools like Florida, Florida State, Ole Miss and Colorado. But he’s stayed committed to SU, even scheduling an official visit from June 13-15. And it’s Cooper’s continued desire to be in command that drives him into his future career with the Orange.

“I just like to dominate people. I like pancakes,” Cooper said. “I love to put somebody in the dirt.”

While his offer’s timing was extra special to Thomas, Syracuse’s location did, too. While residing in Florida, Thomas is originally from Rochester, less than 100 miles from SU. Thomas said she was “iffy” at first about Cooper’s decision to leave Florida for New York. Though, many of Cooper’s cousins live in the area, giving her added security knowing he has family nearby.

Cooper said he viewed his college decision as finding “something new,” and he doesn’t want to stay in Florida. After SU defeated Miami, Cooper made his decision.

Syracuse 2026 recruit Javeion Cooper poses with a fan during his visit for the Orange’s upset win over Miami. Courtesy of Javeion Cooper

The Orange invited 100 recruits, including Cooper, to their season finale against the Hurricanes. Admittedly, he doubted whether Syracuse could pull off the upset.

Cooper said he “committed” instantaneously in the postgame locker room as the team celebrated, “feeling the love” from SU head coach Fran Brown, Caporale and edge rusher Fadil Diggs, among others. Also in the celebration was top 2025 recruit Demetres Samuel Jr., who Cooper grew up with and flipped from Florida to Syracuse in September.

Cooper officially committed 11 days after SU’s victory.

“He said, ‘Coach, Syracuse showed me love from the start, and they have not stopped showing me love. That’s where I’m going,’” MCC head football coach Willie Tillman remembers Cooper telling him following his Syracuse commitment.

Under Tillman’s watch, Cooper’s developed into a premiere right tackle. He transferred to MCC before the 2023 season after using his freshman year to play the final year of Little League instead of for a high school. When Cooper joined the Hustlers as a sophomore, he instantly became a key piece of an experienced unit, fellow offensive lineman Corbin Young said.

Tillman joined the Hustlers in 2024 and knew Cooper, then a rising junior, would be a player to build around. With offensive coordinator Knox Robinson and offensive line coach Brett Anderson, Tillman used Cooper’s bruising style with a play labeled, “BULLS.”

Per Young, the offensive line pushes out the defensive end and Cooper gets to the second level and lights the linebacker up. The play cleared the way for numerous explosive runs in 2024.

Through 11 games, quarterback Brogan McNab totaled 966 rushing yards while running back Howard Dewitt notched 930. Both have received offers to join Cooper with the Orange.

“When (Cooper) would pull the ball, we would have our big plays,” McNab said. “If we needed a big play, we were just calling one play behind him.”

In November, MCC defeated True North Classical Academy in a 51-44 shootout. McNab said the Titans gained momentum when one of their defensive stars made a big play and started talking trash to the Hustlers. On the next play, Cooper power-drove the defender 25 yards downfield, finishing the play with a pancake. MCC retook momentum from there and pulled away with the win.

To keep improving, Cooper said he often watches film on himself rather than his competition. He thinks it allows him to better understand what he’s doing well and how to improve. When he’s not watching his own tape, Cooper studies his favorite NFL player, Trent Williams. Additionally, he watches Penei Sewell to see precision and technically sound fundamentals alongside Anderson.

Those skills, he said, are always a work in progress. His speed and athleticism have been sharpened over time due to playing other sports. Thomas said from an early age, she made sure Cooper participated in basketball and track through the football offseason. Last spring, Cooper ran the 100-meter relay, stretching his limits against participants half his size.

Though, a foot injury during the track season forced him out of football practice and MCC’s 2024 spring game. But Tillman thought the injury humbled him before dominating his junior season, both on offense and sometimes on the defensive line.

With one more season before college, Cooper still has room to grow. The talent and makeup are undoubtedly there. Offers continue to pour in, but he remains committed to the Orange and is a vital part of their future. The only question lies in reaching his potential.

“His ceiling is the moon. There’s no limit to how far he can go,” Anderson said.

Published on February 27, 2025 at 12:13 am

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky