Ben Cooper

LB @redbirdfb

[Ben Cooper @BenCooper44]

100% COMMITTED‼️🔴⚪️ #rollbirds #takeflight24 #Committed @RedbirdFB @CoachNiekamp @Coach_CJIrvin @MaineWestFtbl @MaineWestDC @MikeBuke99 @EDGYTIM @PrepRedzoneIL @AllenTrieu @hddngemscouting @CoachBigPete @DeepDishFB

[Ryan Duffy @RyanDuffy2121]

I am scheduled to pitch this Friday 6/12 at Joliet Junior College, 1:30pm.

Previous outing: 5IP 1H 0ER 1BB 8K
FB: 83-86 T87
CH: 76-77
CB: 68-69
@outlawe99 @KyleW0734 @CoachKsAcademy @ITBMarucci @PrepBaseballIL @PB_Uncommitted

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Bestfriend goals🫶🔥

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

WORLD RECORD BREAKERS 🏆

With a time of 5.417, the Redbirds become the Inaugural Central Illinois Regional Airport Plane Pull Grand Champions! Thank you to @SO_Illinois for having us!

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Taking the #1 spot 😤

Tye Niekamp checks in at No. 1 on the Hero Sports top returning FCS linebacker list!

[Illinois State Athletics @ISURedbirds]

The student-athletes have spoken...

Best Redbird Duo: Dexter Niekamp & Ben Cooper, @RedbirdFB

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Stealing the spotlight at the Reggie's🤩

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Cam is Ottawa bound‼️���🇦

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Dan is headed to H-Town! 🤘

Daniel Sobkowicz has signed a Free Agent deal with the @HoustonTexans
#NFLBirds | #RB4L

[FCS SCOUTING @Fcsscouting]

There is a D1 receiver prospect that most of the national media is sleeping on that has:

Walk-On ➡️ Legendary College Career

9.46 RAS (#14 among combine WR)

6.61 3 cone shuttle 💨 💨💨

2.5 percent drop rate

Circus catch ability 🤡

41 Receiving Touchdowns

3549 Receiving Yards ✅

262 Receptions 🫴

Enter Daniel Sobkowicz

[Ben Cooper @BenCooper44]

@DexterNiekamp Now this is epic

[Dexter Niekamp @DexterNiekamp]

Spring ball in Normal #nobetterplace

[Ben Cooper @BenCooper44]

Spring ball #2 #RB4L

[Ben Cooper @BenCooper44]

Spring ball #2 #RB4L

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Kids Fest 2026 was a success 🥳

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

Congratulations to our Spring Ball 2026 Award Winners 🤩

Offensive Most Improved - Brayden Jellison
Defensive Most Improved - Nio Espinoza
Offensive Newcomer of the Year - Chase Kwiatkowski
Defensive Newcomer of the Year - Josh Crandall
Offensive Pitbull - Victor Dawson
Defensive Pitbull - Mason Kaplan
Hammer Award - Anthony Hall

[Bryan @RealBGauvin23]

Illinois State LB Tye Niekamp (@NiekampTye) continued his legendary career with the Redbirds, once again earning All-American honors from multiple media outlets.

The hometown kid went berserk in 2025, racking up 160 tackles, including 16 for loss, along with 3.5 sacks, an interception, and 10 PBU’s!
#FCS #MVFC #Redbirds

[Max Caltagerone @Coach_Calt]

He is Risen! Happy Easter to all who celebrate!

[Nate Kraus @Nate_kraus1]

#committed

[ESPN @espn]

ILLINOIS STATE WITH LESS THAN 2 SEC LEFT 😱

The Redbirds advance to their first NIT quarterfinal in 30 years 🔥

[Illinois State Football @RedbirdFB]

𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙈𝙊𝙏𝙀𝘿📈

Mickey Turner accepts a promotion as the new offensive coordinator for Illinois State Football!