<\/p>\n
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Anez Cooper speaks to reporters during Media Day at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility in Coral Gables, Florida, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.<\/p>\n
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ<\/p>\n
adiaz@miamiherald.com<\/p>\n
Anez Cooper was one of Mario Cristobal\u2019s first signees with the Miami Hurricanes. The offensive lineman proved his worth for four years, helping bring the program back to national relevance and back into a title contender.<\/p>\n
Now, he is getting his chance in the NFL.<\/p>\n
The New York Jets drafted Cooper in the sixth round with the No. 188 overall pick on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Cooper, listed at 6-6 and 334 pounds, played in 52 career games for Miami, including starting all 42 of the Hurricanes\u2019 games over the past three years at right guard. He was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a senior while helping pave the way for Miami to reach the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first came in, I didn\u2019t really expect that I was going to end up starting,\u201d Cooper said before the season, reflecting on his evolution with the Hurricanes. \u201cI just felt like if I was going to have to play and start, it was about me having to grow up fast. I felt like I just had to open up to everybody and just let everybody see the person I was instead of keeping everything in.\u201d<\/p>\n
The boisterous, fierce Cooper also became one of the vocal leaders in the Hurricanes\u2019 locker room the past two seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s always been a really good player, physical player,\u201d offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. \u201cHe\u2019s really an outspoken guy in our room, and I appreciate the leadership position that he has niched out for himself and I do think that he\u2019s going to have that for a long time. He is the guy that when he talks everybody listens and he\u2019s earned that role because of the way he\u2019s played the game as long as he\u2019s played the game. I appreciate his voice.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s the third Hurricanes offensive lineman selected in the draft this year, following Francis Mauigoa in the first round and Markel Bell in the third round.<\/p>\n
What they\u2019re saying<\/p>\n
-NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein describes Cooper as a \u201cbig and proportional guard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe loses effectiveness when blocking in space, but he plays with good body control and understands how to use his size to neutralize in-line opponents. He has heavy hands and punches quickly into extension in pass pro to subdue rush momentum, making him difficult to circumnavigate. He struggles staying mirrored to athletic rushers with quality setups, though. His issues identifying and responding to rush games are cause for concern. Cooper\u2019s limitations require occasional help, but he has starter upside in the right scheme fit.\u201d<\/p>\n
-The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler lists Cooper as his No. 183 overall draft prospect and No. 14 guard, noting that he \u201ccan be plodding, but makes up for it with size, length and power.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCooper looks the part with his frame, body mass and overall length, and he holds his own when things turn into a street fight. He is a physical finisher \u2014 and a hard man to move \u2014 when he latches. However, he relies more on force than leverage to execute blocks, and he lacks the ideal agility and twitch to match up with NFL speed.\u201d<\/p>\n
-CBS Sports had Cooper as its No. 258 draft prospect and No. 30 interior offensive lineman<\/p>\n