Marquez Cooper

Cooper was a huge part of Kent State’s run to the MAC title game last season. The tailback easily paced the team in carries with 241 as a workhorse runner. With that plethora of carries, Cooper logged 1,205 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. The halfback was a little hot-and-cold, as in some games he had rushing totals in the 20’s and 30’s, while in others he ran for 173, 135 and 126 yards. Regardless, he was the heartbeat of the Golden Flashes’ ground game, and he might be asked to be the heartbeat of the entire offense as Kent State breaks in a new starter at quarterback after the departure of Dustin Crum. Whatever kind of quarterback play Kent State gets in 2022, they know they’ll have a strong ground game to lean on, spearheaded by Cooper.

Cooper tops the depth chart in one of the MAC's most explosive offenses. Dustin Crum and the passing game take center stage, but Cooper will be a factor as well. Cooper was effective as a freshman, taking 56 carries for 282 yards and five touchdowns in four games. He may not inhabit a true workhorse role but he projects for double-digit carries every week and what he showed last season gives reason to believe Cooper can be an effective and consistent producer in 2021.