Pierre High School’s Cooper Terwilliger Commits to Penn State Football

Pierre High School senior tight end Cooper Terwilliger has committed to play Division I football at Penn State University, according to reporting by Dakota News Now. Terwilliger enters his final high school season with the Governors having built a reputation as a dominant on-field presence and a relaxed competitor away from the gridiron.

Head coach Steve Steele, who has led Pierre to eight state championships over the last nine years, noted that Terwilliger possesses a rare drive for the game. According to Dakota News Now, Steele stated, There’s very few people that we’ve had that have had the drive to do what it takes to be great especially to that level. Steele added that Terwilliger exhibits a distinct level of tactical understanding, noting, There’s just a different dimension to the kids like that that are able to think about the game at that high of a level.

Building on Pierre Football Tradition

Terwilliger grew up watching standout players excel within the Pierre program, including Grey Zabel. According to Dakota News Now, observing those successful athletes inspired Terwilliger to join the local program. Growing up in a community like Pierre football has been very successful and watching those great players ahead of you makes you want to be part of something special, Terwilliger said, as reported by Dakota News Now.

The senior tight end credits the stability and preparation of the local coaching staff for instilling widespread trust throughout the roster and the surrounding community. According to Dakota News Now, Terwilliger explained that players rely heavily on the established systems. You just know that the coaches are always going to be prepared and you just gotta execute the game plan that they give to you and our community and our team and everyone has such confidence in our coaching staff which is such a great thing because there’s no question or doubt that they’ve been there and they know what it’s like to get there, Terwilliger said, as cited by Dakota News Now.

Balancing Intensity and Relaxation

While Terwilliger plays with high intensity during games, Steele described him as calm and easygoing outside of football. According to Dakota News Now, Steele noted that Terwilliger enjoys hunting and fishing, explaining, Off the field he’s a fun going guy: he likes to hunt, he likes to fish, he likes to take it easy. It’s another good thing too is he knows how to turn it off.

Prior to committing to Penn State, Terwilliger navigated recruiting relationships with other collegiate staffs. According to Dakota News Now, Steele observed that Terwilliger developed a strong connection with Matt Campbell and his staff when they coached at Iowa State, though Terwilliger ultimately did not feel the same alignment with that specific campus.

With his college commitment secured, Terwilliger’s immediate focus remains on his final high school campaign. According to Dakota News Now, the senior is aiming to capture another state championship with the Governors before beginning his collegiate career.