Cooper Rush

Cooper Rush. He is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Rush played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas, setting numerous school records, and signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Known for his role as a reliable backup, he gained significant attention during the 2022 season when he led the Cowboys to a 4-1 record as a starter in place of an injured Dak Prescott.

Early life and college career

Cooper Rush was born and raised in Charlotte, Michigan, and attended Lansing Catholic High School. There, he excelled in multiple sports, earning all-state honors in football and setting school records under coach Jim Ahern. For his collegiate career, Rush committed to play for the Central Michigan Chippewas and head coach Dan Enos. He became the starter during his redshirt freshman season and proceeded to rewrite the Mid-American Conference record books. Rush finished his tenure in Mount Pleasant, Michigan as the program's all-time leader in passing yards, touchdowns, and completions, with notable performances including a victory in the 2014 Bahamas Bowl and a near-upset of Oklahoma State in 2016. His play earned him first-team All-MAC honors following his senior season.

Professional career

After going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Rush signed with the Dallas Cowboys, largely due to the recommendation of offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who had coached against him in college. He made the 53-man roster as a rookie, beating out veteran Kellen Moore to become the primary backup to Dak Prescott. Rush spent his first several seasons as the Cowboys' number two quarterback, seeing limited regular-season action but performing well in the NFL preseason. His opportunity arrived in 2022 when Prescott suffered a thumb injury in the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rush started the next five games, leading the Cowboys to victories over the Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Los Angeles Rams before a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His efficient, mistake-free play during that stretch, which included a game-winning drive against the New England Patriots in 2021, cemented his reputation as a capable starter. Rush re-signed with Dallas in 2023, continuing his role as one of the league's most trusted backup quarterbacks.

NFL career statistics

Through the 2023 season, Rush has appeared in 13 regular season games with 7 starts. His career totals include over 1,700 passing yards, 10 touchdown passes, and a passer rating above 90. His most productive season was 2022, where he completed over 58% of his passes for 1,051 yards and 5 touchdowns against 3 interceptions while leading the Cowboys to a 4-1 record. In the NFL postseason, he has made brief relief appearances. His career statistics reflect his role as a spot starter who excels at game management and minimizing turnovers within the system designed by head coach Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Personal life

Rush is married to his longtime girlfriend, and the couple resides in Dallas, Texas during the football season. He maintains strong ties to his home state of Michigan, where he often returns in the offseason. Rush is known for his low-key personality and studious approach to film preparation, traits frequently praised by teammates and coaches within The Star in Frisco, Texas. He has participated in various community outreach programs organized by the Dallas Cowboys organization.

See also

* List of Central Michigan Chippewas starting quarterbacks * List of Dallas Cowboys starting quarterbacks * 2022 Dallas Cowboys season * National Football League records

Category:1993 births Category:American football quarterbacks Category:Dallas Cowboys players Category:Central Michigan Chippewas football players Category:Living people Category:People from Charlotte, Michigan Category:Sportspeople from Greater Lansing