Cooper's career ends with neck injury

Monday was one of the rare days during Clemson preseason practice without interview access, but it produced some news regardless.

Coach Dabo Swinney announced after practice that senior "Sam" linebacker Scotty Cooper has decided to end his football career due to a neck injury. Cooper, who started six of the 37 games in his college career, had been plagued with injuries, particularly to his knees, the past two years.

His neck problems stemmed from an injury suffered last year at Maryland.

Cooper will remain on scholarship and become a student assistant coach.

"Scotty has had problems with a nerve in his neck and the only way to solve the problem is to not hit anyone,” Swinney said in a statement. “Scotty is a violent player who hits people when he plays this sport, and the only way he can get better is to give up football.

“This is a big loss for us because we counted on him making plays for our defense at the linebacker position. But his health is much more important. He will stay with our program as a student coach the next two years. He aspires to go into the coaching profession, so this will be a good way for him to learn.”

Cooper had 33 tackles as a freshman while playing in 12 games, including two starts. He started four games as a sophomore in 2008, making 28 tackles.

He was limited following the injury last season, but was the Tigers' top special teams player in the ACC title game loss to Georgia Tech.

He was working as the No.2 "Sam" linebacker behind redshirt freshman Quandon Christian; a thin linebacker corps will miss his experience. With Cooper out, Daniel Andrews moves to back up Christian.