Cooper Peterson Opens Up on Michigan State Offer and Bond with Jonathan Kim: “This One Feels Personal”
In the increasingly high-stakes world of college football recruiting, where relationships often matter just as much as performance, Cooper Peterson is a name rising fast—and for good reason. The dynamic 2026 wide receiver out of Indianapolis has already drawn offers from several Power Five programs, but one, in particular, stands out: Michigan State.
Just weeks after receiving a formal scholarship offer from the Spartans, Peterson sat down with local media to talk through the emotional and personal layers of the opportunity. What makes the offer from Michigan State different? For Peterson, it begins—and possibly ends—with a familiar name: Jonathan Kim.
“I’ve known JK since I was in middle school,” Peterson said. “He’s like a big brother. We trained together a few summers back when he was home in Indy. He never acted like a star, just someone who cared about seeing younger guys succeed. He’s the kind of person who texts you after a bad game and says, ‘Get back in the lab.’ That means something.”
Jonathan Kim, Michigan State’s standout placekicker and former North Carolina transfer, has quietly served as a mentor to several young athletes in the Midwest. For Peterson, Kim’s impact was more than just inspirational—it was foundational.
“Jonathan’s been telling me about East Lansing for years,” Peterson said. “Not just about football, but the culture, the people, the way the coaches treat you like family. When I got the offer, it didn’t even feel like a surprise—it felt like something we’d both been working toward.”
Peterson, who posted over 1,100 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his sophomore season, is known for his sharp route running, elite hands, and explosive after-the-catch ability. Recruiters praise his football IQ and maturity—traits that caught the attention of Spartans wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins during an early spring evaluation.
“Cooper’s not just talented, he’s teachable,” Hawkins noted in a recent interview. “He’s got the rare mix of physical gifts and discipline. He understands what it means to work, and his relationship with Jonathan Kim gave us insight into who he is off the field.”
Peterson said Michigan State was among the first schools to make him feel “like more than just a number.”
“Coach Tucker, Coach Hawkins, they’ve all been real with me since day one,” he said. “No hype, just honesty. They see my potential, but they also see the areas I need to grow. That’s the kind of staff I want to play for—guys who will challenge me.”
Though Peterson is not expected to make a decision until next year, the Spartans are clearly in a strong position. His recruitment has picked up steam recently with interest from Wisconsin, Penn State, and Tennessee, but the connection to Kim and the early trust built by Michigan State’s staff could prove decisive.
“Obviously, I have a lot to think about,” Peterson admitted. “But this offer from Michigan State—it’s not just business. It feels personal. And that matters.”
As the recruiting race heats up, it’s clear the Spartans have done more than offer a scholarship—they’ve built a bond. And in the world of high-stakes college football, that can be the difference between a visit and a signature.
