The senior transfer carries not only the football but also the weight of many personal connections, including his 15-month-old son, Madden.
When 5-foot-7 San Diego State running back Marquez Cooper navigates through the chaos of crashing linemen, he carries a lot more than just the ball.
He carries vivid memories of his son, the loved ones he has lost—like his uncle, a high school teammate, and the trainer who believed in him.
He carries the skepticism of naysayers who doubt that he can continue to deliver impressive performances and rack up 1,000-yard seasons as he faces tougher challenges in college football.
When Cooper comes off as bold or overly confident, it’s not empty bravado for the leader in career rushing yards; it reflects his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead.
Yet, beneath this confidence lies a deeper significance.
Cooper recognizes that he must meet high expectations—not just for himself, but also for his son and those who care about him.
“It’s motivational fuel,” he explained.
Cooper has fully embraced the challenge of proving himself, paying little attention to how deep the water is or where the nearest exit might be.
As he enters his senior season, Cooper boasts 4,079 rushing yards from his previous stints at Kent State and Ball State. The next closest player, Tahj Brooks from Texas Tech, trails by a significant 874 yards.
Now, the pressure is set to mount as the Aztecs prepare to face Oregon State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
Pressure? Fantastic. Bring it on.
“I racked up over 100 all-purpose yards against (No. 1) Georgia (in 2022 with Kent State),” Cooper recalled, highlighting his 187 total yards in a 39-22 loss to the top defense in major college football at that time. “I have no doubts, no fears.”
Returning to those motivators:
Madden is not just a nod to Cooper’s love for the popular video game; it also honors his girlfriend Madison, the boy’s mother whom he met at Kent State.
“It adds more weight on my shoulders to make the most of each day because he’s depending on me,” Cooper said after practice on Tuesday. “I invest a lot of time away from him, so I sacrifice a lot for him, and I want to be the best for him.
“It has changed my perspective significantly.”
Madden Cooper will be at Snapdragon to support his father as he continues to break barriers.
“He’s growing fast,” Cooper said, his smile hinting at a permanent gleam on his youthful face. “He definitely has those sturdy running back legs. I’m grateful for him every day.
“I’ve never finished a game with fewer than 100 yards since he started coming, so let’s hope that trend continues.”
Other voices echo in his mind, too.
Cooper lost his teammate Tyler Terry from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Md., to a heart condition, and his uncle Dominique Chase, who wore the same No. 15, was killed by a car. Recently, he also lost his trusted trainer Ray Butler.
“I know they’d want me to be happy and play hard every day,” Cooper said. “That’s what I strive for.”
So, he works hard. So, he believes.
“I’m the most consistent back in the country year after year,” said Cooper, who leads the nation in active all-purpose yards and is tied with Devin Neal of Kansas for active rushing touchdowns (35). “I’ve shown up for every practice and game day. I produce continuously. I doubt many can say that.
“Maybe no one can.”
Trust the process? He fully embraces it.
Last week, Cooper wore down Texas A&M-Commerce in a 45-14 win for SDSU. You could almost see the defense running out of steam with each second-half carry.
The Aztecs’ offensive line has improved, and although A&M-Commerce is far from A&M and struggled last season, Cooper has reached three 1,000-yard seasons at two different programs and had that standout game against Georgia.
“It’s all about mental toughness,” he said. “Many people falter when they get hit. Some of those hits hurt on Saturday against Commerce. A lot of folks shy away from the nicks and bruises and don’t want to face it again.
“But the excitement of getting the ball and making a play? That never fades.”
Whether on the field or off.
And about that Madden addiction?
“I’ve been playing that game for a long time,” Cooper said. “It’s helped keep me out of trouble and off the streets.”
His smile hints at a big laugh.
“I’m very good,” he said, “the best in the world at that game.”
At that moment, he’s challenged. Against one of the most popular games out there, played by millions, he considers himself unique?
So far, he insists.
“I beat the top players everywhere I go,” Cooper said. “In Maryland, I was known as the best in my area. At Kent State, I was recognized as the top player on the team, even by the coaches. I took the title at Ball State.
“And here, I’m beating everyone again.”
Now, shifting focus, let’s see what Cooper struggles with in a world of excellence.
“Oh, plenty,” he said. “I’m awful at ping pong and tennis. And I can’t cook to save my life.”
Looks like he’ll stick to football.
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