History of Cooper Kupp in Timeline
Cooper Kupp is a professional American football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams. He played college football at Eastern Washington, winning the Walter Payton Award. Drafted by the Rams in 2017, Kupp had a remarkable 2021 season, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns – a feat achieved by few since the AFL-NFL merger. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl LVI MVP, joining Jerry Rice as the only wide receivers to accomplish both of those feats in a career.
1951: Elroy Hirsch's Touchdown Record
In 1951, Elroy Hirsch set a Rams record of 17 touchdowns. Kupp would get 16 touchdowns in 2021.
June 15, 1993: Cooper Kupp Born
On June 15, 1993, Cooper Douglas Kupp was born. He would grow up to become a professional football wide receiver.
1996: Randy Moss Named All-American
In 1996, Randy Moss was named first-team All-American. Kupp would be the first freshman wide receiver to be named as a first-team All-American since Moss.
1997: Brian Finneran Wins Walter Payton Award
In 1997, Brian Finneran of Villanova won the Walter Payton Award. Kupp would become the second wide receiver to win this award in 2015.
1999: Scott Pingel's All-Division NCAA Record
In 1999, Scott Pingel set the all-division NCAA record. Kupp's 6,464 yards would eclipse Pingel's record.
2003: David Ball Plays for New Hampshire
From 2003 to 2006, David Ball caught 58 touchdowns for New Hampshire. Kupp's 73 receiving touchdowns would rank first in FCS history, passing Ball's record.
2005: Steve Smith Sr. Wins Triple Crown
In 2005, Steve Smith Sr. was the last player before Kupp to lead the league in receptions, receiving touchdowns, and receiving yards.
2005: Michael Roos Drafted
In the 2005 NFL draft, Michael Roos was drafted. Kupp would become the second highest pick in Eastern Washington's school history, only behind Roos.
2006: David Ball's Receiving Touchdown Record
From 2003 to 2006, David Ball caught 58 touchdowns for New Hampshire. Kupp's 73 receiving touchdowns would rank first in FCS history, passing Ball's record.
2009: Terrell Hudgins' Receptions Record
From 2006 to 2009, Terrell Hudgins had 395 receptions for Elon University. Kupp's 428 receptions would be the most in FCS history, passing Hudgins' mark.
2012: Brandon Kaufman Wins FCS Wide Receiver Award
In 2012, Brandon Kaufman won the FCS Wide Receiver Award. Kupp would win the award in 2013.
2012: Calvin Johnson's Receiving Yard Record
In 2012, Calvin Johnson set the NFL record for receiving yards in a season with 1,964. Kupp's 1,947 yards in 2021 would be second to Johnson's record.
2012: Graduation from Davis High School
In 2012, Cooper Kupp graduated from Davis High School in Yakima, where he excelled in both football and basketball.
2012: Joins Eastern Washington University
In 2012, Cooper Kupp joined Eastern Washington University's football team and redshirted his first year.
November 26, 2013: All-Big Sky Conference First-team and Freshman of the Year
On November 26, 2013, Cooper Kupp was unanimously named to the All-Big Sky Conference First-team and received the conference's first-ever Freshman of the Year Award.
December 16, 2013: Recipient of the Jerry Rice Award
On December 16, 2013, Cooper Kupp received the 2013 Jerry Rice Award, recognizing him as the top freshman player in the FCS.
2013: Record-Setting Freshman Year
In 2013, Cooper Kupp had a record-setting redshirt freshman year, establishing numerous single-season school and national receiving records at the Football Championship Subdivision Level.
January 9, 2014: Wins 2013 FCS Wide Receiver Award
On January 9, 2014, Cooper Kupp was honored with the 2013 FCS Wide Receiver Award by the College Football Performance Awards.
2014: Continued Success in Sophomore Season
In 2014, Cooper Kupp continued his success with 104 catches for 1,431 yards and 16 touchdowns, earning multiple All-American and All-Big Sky honors.
June 2015: Marriage to Anna Croskrey
In June 2015, Cooper Kupp married his high school girlfriend, Anna Croskrey.
November 30, 2015: Announces Return for Senior Season
On November 30, 2015, Cooper Kupp announced his decision to return for his senior season at Eastern Washington University.
2015: Record-Breaking Junior Season
In 2015, Cooper Kupp set a Big Sky single-season record for catches and was named the league's Offensive MVP, also winning the Walter Payton Award.
2016: Record-Breaking Final Collegiate Season
In 2016, Cooper Kupp completed his college career with 117 receptions for 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns, establishing himself as the FCS all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
March 28, 2017: Participates in Eastern Washington's Pro Day
On March 28, 2017, Cooper Kupp participated in Eastern Washington's pro day, showcasing his skills for NFL scouts.
June 9, 2017: Signs with the Los Angeles Rams
On June 9, 2017, Cooper Kupp signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams.
2017: Named to All-Rookie Team
Following the 2017 season, Cooper Kupp was named to the All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers Association.
2017: Participates in 2017 Senior Bowl
In 2017, Cooper Kupp participated in the Senior Bowl, enhancing his draft prospects.
2017: Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams
In 2017, Cooper Kupp was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL.
2017: Rookie Season
In 2017, during his rookie season, Cooper Kupp became a full-time starter, ending the year with 62 receptions for 869 yards and five touchdowns.
January 6, 2018: First Playoff Game
On January 6, 2018, Cooper Kupp made his first career playoff appearance. He had eight receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown as the Rams lost to the Atlanta Falcons.
2018: Season-Ending Injury
In 2018, Cooper Kupp's season was cut short due to a torn ACL sustained in a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
2019: Successful 2019 Season
In 2019, Cooper Kupp had a successful season, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns with 94 receptions for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns.
2019: Michael Thomas' Receptions Record
In 2019, Michael Thomas set the NFL record for receptions with 149. Kupp's 145 receptions in 2021 would be second to Thomas' record.
September 12, 2020: Signs Contract Extension
On September 12, 2020, Cooper Kupp signed a three-year contract extension with the Rams for $48 million.
December 29, 2020: Placed on Reserve/COVID-19 List
On December 29, 2020, Cooper Kupp was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, causing him to miss a game.
2020: Leads Team in Receptions and Receiving Yards
In 2020, Cooper Kupp led the Rams in receptions and receiving yards.
2020: Ranked on NFL Top 100 Players of 2020
In 2020, Cooper Kupp was ranked 89th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players list.
January 6, 2021: Activated from Reserve/COVID-19 List
On January 6, 2021, Cooper Kupp was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
2021: Breakout Season
In 2021, Cooper Kupp had a breakout season, leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, and earning the Offensive Player of the Year Award and Super Bowl LVI MVP.
2021: Exceptional 2021 Season
In 2021, Cooper Kupp had a statistically outstanding season, beginning strongly with Matthew Stafford as quarterback.
September 9, 2023: Injured Reserve Placement
On September 9, 2023, Cooper Kupp was placed on injured reserve at the start of the season due to a hamstring injury.
2023: NFL Top 100 Players of 2023 Ranking
Cooper Kupp was ranked 47th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023.
2024: NFL Top 100 Players of 2024 Ranking
Cooper Kupp was ranked 69th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2024.
2024: 2024 Season Performance
During the 2024 season, Cooper Kupp recorded 67 receptions for 710 yards and six touchdowns.
February 3, 2025: Rams Plan to Trade Kupp
On February 3, 2025, the Rams' front office informed Cooper Kupp that he was not in their future plans and that they intended to trade him in the 2025 offseason.
2026: Contract Extension with Rams Through 2026
Cooper Kupp's contract extension signed on June 9, 2022 will keep him with the Rams through 2026.
