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Stanford football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

By Connor Muldowney

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Nakia Watson #25 of the Washington State Cougars runs with the ball pursued by David Bailey #23 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Nakia Watson #25 of the Washington State Cougars runs with the ball pursued by David Bailey #23 of the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The David Shaw era is officially over and Stanford football moved on to Troy Taylor in somewhat of a controversial move to bring the FCS head coach to the FBS.

He spent 15 years as a head coach before going to the FCS level and excelling. Now, he’s getting a crack at the Stanford job, taking over for Shaw. The move is likely the last of his career and shows how a coach can rise quickly through the ranks.

Stanford will see some big changes this upcoming season, but it was able to retain some top talent from its 2022 recruiting class and these guys could become stars in 2023.

Ernest Cooper IV was one of the top recruits in Stanford’s 2022 class and he’s decided to stick around even through the coaching change. Leaving Stanford isn’t easy for players because it’s such a good school and football only gets you so far, so Cooper made a smart choice.

But this is a kid who could end up playing at the next level regardless of where he goes to school. He’s incredibly talented and has barely scratched the surface.

Cooper was able to retain his redshirt, playing in just four games as a true freshman and he finished with 12 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.

The former top-200 recruit was highly sought-after out of high school and he looks like he could be a legit threat to steal a starting spot on the defensive line this season.

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