National Football Foundation

Central Michigan University – QB – Actuarial Science – 3.86 GPA
Head Coach: John Bonamego | AD: Dave Heeke | FAR: Kevin Love

RECIPIENT OF THE E. DOUGLAS KENNA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD

Already pursuing his MBA, Cooper Rush has made a name for himself in the Central Michigan record books equal to his outstanding classroom performance. The two-year team captain is the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete in school history.

A 2014 Second Team Academic All-American, Rush graduated in May with a 3.86 GPA in actuarial science. The Charlotte, Mich., native is a three-time Academic All-MAC selection and was named a 2014-15 MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete.

Starting almost every game of his Chippewa career, Rush ranks second all-time at Central Michigan in career passing yards (11,887), completions (931) and passing touchdowns (88). The 2015 Second Team All-MAC performer threw for 3,848 passing yards as a junior, setting the single-season school record and ranking second in the conference. The 2015 team MVP led the Chippewas to the 2015 Quick Lane Bowl and the 2014 Bahamas Bowl, where he set an NCAA bowl record with seven passing touchdowns. As a sophomore, Rush was second in the MAC with 27 passing touchdowns, and he recorded the second-longest touchdown pass in school history (97 yards) against New Hampshire as a freshman in 2013.

This season, Rush has twice been named MAC Offensive Player of the Week and Manning Star of the Week, most notably after leading the Chippewas to an upset of then-No. 22 Oklahoma State on a last-second Hail Mary. He currently ranks 10th in the FBS with 2,533 passing yards and is tied for 12th in the FBS with 21 passing touchdowns. Off the field, Rush has participated in activities with the Special Olympics and the United Way.