Slippery Rock University’s Joe Cooper hoping to parlay rookie minicamp invite with New York Jets
SLIPPERY ROCK — The NFL Draft came and went. Joe Cooper hopes his NFL career is just beginning.
The Slippery Rock University graduate and longtime SRU left tackle accepted a rookie minicamp invitation from the New York Jets on Sunday after his name was not called during the three-day draft last weekend in Pittsburgh.
“My agent called me and said this was my best chance, this was the way to go,” the 6-foot-6, 325-pound Cooper said. “So I’m going.”
Cooper, from East Berlin, Pa., started the final 38 games of his collegiate career at left tackle for Slippery Rock. He did not miss a game during his final three seasons.
He was heavily followed by NFL scouts over the past two seasons. Cooper stayed out of the transfer portal to complete his degree in Physical Activity and Fitness Management at SRU.
“There was talk he might go in the later rounds,” SRU head football coach Shawn Lutz said. “We thought he’d get a non-drafted free agent deal after the draft ... It’s disappointing, but he’s got a shot at the NFL and that’s tough to get.”
SRU offensive line coach Chris Conrad pointed out that Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting, also went undrafted and signed a minicamp tryout offer with the Baltimore Ravens.
“That’s crazy when you think about it,” Conrad said. “But that’s how it is these days. There’s a lot of competition out there.”
The Jets’ rookie minicamp runs May 8-10. Cooper was part of a Rock offensive line that allowed a PSAC-low 10 sacks all season. He was a key blocker for 1,300-yard rusher and PSAC Offensive Player of the Year JayJay Jordan from his left tackle position.
But he will be asked to play guard should he make the Jets roster.
“I’d never played guard in my life, but I played it at the East-West (Shrine Bowl) and did well,” Cooper said. He was the only Division II player invited to play in that game.
“I’ll do what I need to do. I have three days to prove myself. There’s no physical contact at mini-camp, so I won’t have the chance to put a defensive lineman on his back,” Cooper said. “There’s a lot of offensive line drills, walk-throughs, things like that. And they throw the playbook at you that you have to learn in three days.
“The mental stuff is a big part of this. My goal is to get offered a contract at the end of mini-camp,” Cooper added. “That’s my next step.”
Conrad, a former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman, said that every time a player goes up a level in football, “the speed and the power increase. There’s a lot you have to learn in terms of the playbook.
“Joe is very capable. He has to sell himself.”
While defensive linemen “are on you a step or two quicker” at guard as opposed to tackle, Cooper said he’s prepared for the adjustment.
Lutz agrees.
“For a big guy, Joe has the quickness and athleticism to play at that (NFL) level,” the Rock coach said. “His arms aren’t long enough to play tackle in the pros. His quick feet will be an asset for him at guard. All you can ask for is a shot and he’s got one.”
The Jets drafted one offensive lineman over the weekend — Miami (Fla.) right guard Anez Cooper in the sixth round.
“Their linemen are young and that plays in my favor a little bit,” Joe Cooper said. “We won’t be putting the pads on, but I need to show them something besides physicality.”
Cooper becomes the 11th SRU football player to receive an opportunity to make an NFL roster since 2015.
If he is not offered a deal by the Jets, he won’t quit on his NFL goal just yet.
“No, probably not,” He said. “We’d look around, but my plan is to leave there with a contract.”
