The National Junior College Offensive Player of the Year after leading the Badgers to an 11-1 record and No. 2 national ranking, Cooper will walk on this semester and already has enrolled in classes, which begin in January.

"After talking to BYU coaches last week, I decided to do it," he said. "I'll pay my own way [this semester], but once a scholarship becomes available, they say it will be mine."

Junior college transfers began signing with Division I programs on Dec. 20. The signing period for high school recruits begins Feb. 7.

Cooper informed BYU assistants Brandon Doman, Robert Anae and Paul Tidwell of his decision on Saturday night and will be a junior in eligibility next fall. He had received scholarship offers from Utah State, Utah, Arizona, Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Weber State and Troy, but says the "quarterback legacy at BYU, and the fact that it has always been my dream to play there," caused him to stick with BYU, despite not having an immediate scholarship.

"They feel like something will open up when guys go on missions and things like that happen," he said.

Cooper, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound left-hander who played high school football for Lehi and Timpview, completed 224 of 335 passes for 3,103 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2006, with just eight interceptions. His quarterback rating was 170.4.

"I'm relieved," he said. "It is like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. It was a stressful thing, and a lot of very good programs showed some interest in me. But when all is said and done, I am going to be at the place I want to be at."

Cooper believes he will get a "fair chance" to replace John Beck next fall. Others in the running are Arizona State transfer Max Hall and Idaho prep phenom Jacob Bower. Hall is the favorite heading into spring camp.