Most people probably thought a Resistol Rookie Title was the best case scenario for 19-year-old Utah native Cooper James coming into his first NFR.
James was No. 10 in the World coming into these 10 days in December and third among three very impressive rookies. But forget the rookie title, he’s pushing Josh Frost in the race for a World Title.
With an 88.5-point ride on Midnight Rider in Round 7, James is now the second bull rider to cover five and has two Go-Round Wins, making him the only one with multiple trips to the South Point in 2024.
“I just knew it was the E Pen, I was going to have to keep moving the whole time,” James said. “I love it, (I’ve always fed off energy), I knew coming here the pressure was going to be on, and I was going to be hot.”
James is No. 2 in the Projected World Standings and the NFR Average behind Frost.
