Georgia Tech center Kenny Cooper is ahead of schedule for his rehabilitation, coach Paul Johnson said Thursday at the team’s media day at Bobby Dodd Stadium. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll play in the season opener, though.

Cooper is recovering from a foot injury suffered near the end of the Yellow Jackets’ spring practice. A returning starter, he’s an integral piece of the Tech line and offense.

“It’s going good,” Johnson said. “He’s ahead of schedule, and he’s here in camp, so we’ve got a pretty good idea of when he’ll be available.”

Johnson added that he is not yet cleared to practice. Asked about whether he would be available to play in the opener against Alcorn State on Sept. 1, Johnson replied, “I don’t know. We’ll see about the first game.”

Tech’s second game is against South Florida the following Saturday in Tampa, Fla., followed by the ACC opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 15.

About the Author

Keep Reading

South Carolina State University head football coach Chennis Berry joined the team in 2023 after coaching at Benedict College, a historically Black college in Columbia, South Carolina. Last year, Berry's team saw its season end in heartbreak in the Celebration Bowl and this time, it ended in triumph with a 40-38 win. (Courtesy of South Carolina State Athletics)

Credit: South Carolina State University Athletics

Featured

Students at Carver Early College School of Technology attend the school’s art class on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools plans to convert the campus to a school of the arts that will serve grades 6-12. The plan depends on voters extending a one-cent sales tax for education. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller