ASU football loses defensive end to ACL tear

TEMPE, Ariz. — One of the biggest goals in spring football is making it through without any major injuries. Unfortunately for ASU football, that will not be the case this spring. A sixth-year senior suffered a devastating ACL tear on Tuesday during practice, an injury that will likely put him out for the majority of the season.

ASU football loses Anthonie Cooper to injury

Anthonie Cooper, a sixth-year defensive end from Millenium High School in Goodyear, Ariz. suffered an ACL injury this past week.

This injury usually takes at least six months of recovery time, so there’s a chance that Cooper won’t see the field this season for ASU football.

The veteran also missed multiple games last season with injury, as he only appeared in six outings for the Sun Devils. Last season he finished with 13 total tackles and half a sack. However, in the 2022 season, Cooper started all 12 games for Arizona State, proving to be an integral member of the defense.

Cooper’s best season came in 2021. The local product played in 13 games for Arizona State, racking up 30 total tackles, including five tackles for loss and three-and-a-half sacks.

Losing the sixth-year senior will be a hit to the defensive line, but the Sun Devils do have a lot of depth in this position. So far this spring Justin Wodtly, a junior transfer from Cincinnati, has been backing up Cooper at a defensive end spot. Wodtly is a new transfer addition. Last season in Cincinnati he had 13 total tackles and a sack.

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