Change of plans: Rivals100 DT Cooper will sign early with the 'Noles
Florida State is expected to see a handful of committed players sign on Wednesday -- the first day of the NCAA's new early signing period. Linebacker Amari Gainer and offensive lineman Christian Armstrong are the sure things, and then a few others are possible as well.
One prospect who was not expected to sign during the early period was Rivals100 defensive tackle Robert Cooper. But after talking it over with his family, Cooper told Warchant on Tuesday that he is ready to sign with the 'Noles.
"I was just ready to get it over with, and I want to be at FSU, so there was no need to play games," Cooper said. "They've been with me since the eighth grade and never backed out of their word, and I'm not going back out on mine."
Cooper, who is rated the nation's No. 5 defensive tackle, says his signing celebration will be at the Bahama Breeze near his hometown at 8 p.m., and he will likely sign and fax his Letter of Intent to FSU at 7 p.m.
He also said there is one current FSU player that he's excited to be working with when he gets to Tallahassee.
"I'm very excited to get down there and cause some havoc with my guy Marvin Wilson," Cooper said.
The signing will conclude an extremely lengthy recruiting process, which started when Cooper was still in middle school. He and longtime FSU defensive tackles coach Odell Haggins have had a strong relationship since way back then, and Cooper said it continues to grow even stronger.
"He's like an extension of my father," Cooper said. "I trust him, my family trusts him, and I feel very comfortable playing under him."
Cooper, who goes by the nickname "Trench Monster," had one final message for 'Nole Nation: "Stand by the Trench Monster. I'm on the way, and we are rolling."