TAMPA BAY, FL – Stony Brook University football alumnus Chris Cooper has earned a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53-man roster. Cooper made his mark with the reigning Super Bowl champions this preseason as he played in all three preseason games and made a total of eight tackles (five solo, three assists).  
 
"We are really excited for Chris; he has worked very hard for this. He has been with many organizations in the past, and for him to make the Super Bowl champions roster is a great testament to his hard work and dedication. Chris plays fast, brings a lot of energy, and that's what their staff saw. We wish him all the best as he prepares for the 2021 season," said Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore.  
 
The 5-foot-10, defensive back made his preseason debut with the Buccaneers on August 14, against the Cincinnati Bengals, and recorded a pair of tackles (one solo, one assist). In Week 2 of the preseason, Cooper registered four tackles (three solo, one assist) against the Tennessee Titans on August 21. The defensive back concluded the 2021 preseason with another strong showing versus the Houston Texans on August 29, as he finished with two tackles (one solo, one assist) in a 23-16 victory.
 
Cooper impressed on special teams for the Buccaneers this preseason and is one of four safeties on the 2021 roster joining Mike Edwards, Jordan Whitehead, and Antoine Winfield at the position. He is the first Seawolf to make a final NFL 53-man roster ahead of Week 1 since tight end Will Tye made the New York Giants roster in 2016.
 
The Mount Vernon, NY native was a member of the Stony Brook football program from 2015-17 and played in 33 games. Cooper recorded 147 career tackles (77 solo, 70 assists), 12.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, one fumble recovery, and 1.0 sack. As a senior in 2017, he was named to the All-CAA Second Team and ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 88 (50 solo, 38 assists).