TE
Sophomore
Young Iowa State transfer tight end whose value is tied to scheme fit and developmental snaps. Alexander gives Penn State another flexible body, but his role should be framed behind the more proven tight ends until evidence changes.
Cooper Alexander is another young tight end who followed Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State. His profile matters because Penn State's 2026 offense needs tight ends who can do more than catch passes; the staff needs players who can move across formations, support the run game, and help Rocco Becht with defined throws.
Alexander is younger than Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, so his timeline should be framed differently. He can be part of the same system transition without needing to be described as an immediate featured player.
For depth-chart work, Alexander is a developmental tight end and H-back option. His 2026 value is tied to special teams, blocking progress, and whether the staff wants to use multiple tight ends frequently enough to create a larger role.
That makes him more relevant than a basic reserve listing suggests. If Penn State leans into multi-tight-end groupings, players like Alexander can create formation flexibility even without large receiving totals.