Matthew Cooks is a rangy, productive tackling machine for Texas Southern
In the 2025 season, Texas Southern linebacker Matthew Cooks emerged as one of the SWAC’s steadier defenders, finishing with 75 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in 11 games, which put him seventh in the league at 6.8 tackles per game. The tape says the appeal goes beyond the box score: at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he brings length, range, and middle-linebacker instincts, and sources around TSU described him as a seamless fit who “filled in seamlessly” after arriving from Tyler JC. He looks like a high-floor addition for a defense that wants active, athletic pursuit and reliable production.
