![\"Offensive](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_3150,h_1771,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/packer_central\/01jv0vfv4weq81by02te.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTyler Cooper, a two-year starting guard at Minnesota, signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.<\/p>\n
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Offensive lineman Tyler Cooper (75) celebrates a Minnesota touchdown against Wisconsin. \/ Nick Wosika-Imagn Images<\/em><\/p>\n GREEN BAY, Wis. \u2013 A native of Saint Croix Falls, Wis., Tyler Cooper has been on both sides of the Packers-Vikings border war.<\/p>\n \u201cI can walk two minutes across the river and be in Minnesota,\u201d Cooper, an undrafted free agent offensive lineman, said at Green Bay Packers rookie camp.<\/p>\n Cooper was born in Minnesota and was a Vikings fan when he was little.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a pretty split family, so I started out that way,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cWhen we moved, I had to make the transition.\u201d<\/p>\n So, after going undrafted out of the University of Minnesota, why did Cooper opt to sign with the Packers rather than a different opportunity?<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a historic franchise. The trophy\u2019s named after them,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an unbelievable facility here, unbelievable coaches. Everybody here has just been amazing so far.\u201d<\/p>\n At Saint Croix Falls High School, Cooper was an all-state performer and the No. 10 recruit in Wisconsin, according to 247 Sports\u2019 composite rankings. His is a story of perseverance and stick-to-it-iveness. He played in one game in 2019, one game in 2020 and zero games in 2021.<\/p>\n Cooper played in five games in 2022, then started 21 games at left guard the last two seasons. He was honorable-mention all-Big Ten on the field in 2024 and was all-academic Big Ten from 2020 through 2024. He was selected for the East-West Shrine Bowl, with the game\u2019s director of football operations, Eric Galko, saying Cooper could \u201cplay guard tomorrow\u201d in the NFL.<\/p>\n Outside zone was his favorite play for the Gophers, though he enjoys winning with power, as well. The ability to win both ways got him to Green Bay.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s every kid\u2019s dream to play at this level,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cBut I think when it really becomes like the dream that you think you can attain, maybe in college you start to really think like that, but it\u2019s one thing at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n Even after signing, the reality of being in the NFL felt surreal.<\/p>\n \u201cEven after getting the news, there\u2019s still like a bit of almost hesitation,\u201d he said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t quite feel real. It doesn\u2019t quite settle in until walking the halls like yesterday, going around, getting in meeting rooms, all that stuff. That\u2019s when it really starts to sink in. Put on a little bit of the gear, get a \u2018G\u2019 on the chest, and that\u2019s when it really starts to sink in there.\u201d<\/p>\n For his career, he played 1,044 snaps at left guard and 265 snaps at right guard. The interior spots, including center, will be his home in the NFL. Now that he\u2019s in the NFL, being able to play multiple positions will allow him to stay.<\/p>\n \u201cI think versatility is the biggest thing,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cBeing an O-lineman, you got to play as many spots as you can, especially coming in the way that I am as an undrafted. So, being able to play as many spots as you can, getting the playbook down, getting to know all the coaching staff and the guys around you and just hurt your tail off.\u201d<\/p>\n Cooper spent the draft with close family, waiting for the moment of a lifetime. After a long wait, there were screams of joy and even a few tears.<\/p>\n \u201cLast Saturday was awesome,\u201d he said. \u201cHanging out with the family all day just sitting around waiting to find out what\u2019s all going to happen. And then getting the calls and texts that this is going to be one of the places that we can go, it was a quick, quick decision to come here. I grew up watching them, been to Lambeau many times, family\u2019s season-ticket holders. It was a dream come true to come play at a place like this.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GREEN BAY, Wis. \u2013 A native of Saint Croix Falls, Wis., Tyler Cooper has been on both sides of the Packers-Vikings border war. \u201cI can walk two minutes across the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":22671,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22670","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-bay-packers"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"Evaluating](\"https:\/\/packerswire.usatoday.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/images\/smg\/2025\/01\/15\/SMGW\/77716168007-57-117393.jpeg?crop=6713,3777,x0,y349&width=3200&height=1801&format=pjpg&auto=webp\")
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