Shrewsbury MA DL/LB/TE Commit Cooper Ackerman:
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Cooper Ackerman - Shrewsbury, Senior
Ackerman returns for his fourth and final varsity season bigger, making him — much to the dismay of opposing offenses — well positioned to be better.
“He’s grown,” Shrewsbury coach John Aloisi said. “He’s worked really hard. Kids from junior to senior year grow quite a bit. They almost turn into men. So, yeah, he’s filled out even more than last year. “We’re just excited. He has a lot of skills, and last year, he was really productive for us. We’re just hoping he takes another big step and (continues to) lead our defense.”
The 6-foot-4, 242-pound defensive end collected 86 tackles, 4½ sacks and 2 forced fumbles last season while being named to the T&G Super Team. He has the ability to set the edge, rush the passer and drop into coverage while playing with his hand down, as will be the case this season, or standing up, as was the case in the past.
“He can do a lot of things for us, and he’ll do a lot of things at UConn I’m sure, as well. But, like I said, just a physically gifted athlete.”
Ackerman, a two-year captain and three-star recruit,
committed to the University of Connecticut in late May. He also received offers from the likes of Army, Boston College, Holy Cross, Navy, Rutgers, Penn and UMass.
A rotational tight end on offense, Ackerman caught 14 passes for 203 yards (14.5 average) and two touchdowns.<-