Packers 2017 Draft: Interview with IUP OG Ethan Cooper

Poor grades and immaturity combined to deal a devastating blow to one high school athlete’s hopes of signing with a Division I football program. But instead of wallowing in his sorrow, this wide-bodied offensive lineman took it upon himself to change his ways and command the attention of NFL talent evaluators.

During his formative years, Ethan Cooper was always a big kid with superior athletic skills to play a variety of sports, but the 325-pound trench warrior admittedly never took things seriously enough to get himself in the best shape.

The wake-up call came when none of his coveted scholarship offers materialized for the aspiring pro.

Cooper was forced to come to grips with the fact that his long journey to the NFL would have to start at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), whose football program was as far off the radar as planet Neptune.

Undaunted by the considerable odds he faced, the Steelton, PA. native plotted his rebirth by devoting countless hours in the weight room, as well as refining his craft by learning and analyzing football concepts through constant film study.

But the other redeeming quality that almost instantly emerged soon after Cooper stepped on campus was his willingness to be a team player by lining up wherever he was needed that day.

In addition, the local product’s soothing voice along the sidelines and in the huddle helped keep his offensive peers on an even keel whenever things were on the verge of spiraling out of control.

In short, Cooper was no longer the careless soul that routinely dismissed well-meaning adults who offered counsel; he was now the one who took it upon himself to act professionally and set the right example for his teammates.

But no matter how sensible or wise a player may be at any level of football, respect is shown only to those who back up their words with high levels of performance between the lines.

Cooper was nothing short of a dominant force in his four years as a Crimson Hawk as a physical interior blocker that sought contact and moved defenders off the ball.

Ill-fated Division II linemen and linebackers didn’t stand a chance in their futile attempts to gain penetration against the naturally thick specimen’s wide base and powerful lower body with the footwork to match.

What was also remarkable about the 2016 Sporting News Preseason All-American was that his ample girth never prevented Cooper from being agile enough to get to the second level and clear space against smaller adversaries.

Thanks in large part to No. 59’s efforts, IUP’s ground attack began running roughshod over their competition by gaining at least 250 rushing yards in nine of their 11 games in 2015.

Despite playing at the Division II level, Cooper’s exploits would no longer remain a secret to NFL decision makers once his junior year came around.

Visiting scouts began making frequent stops to school facilities to view the mauling guard’s tape.

The consensus on Cooper’s future prospects suggest he will be drafted as a Day-3 developmental pick.

The fact that the four-year starter has trained with fellow linemen from the SEC, as well as competing—and performing solidly—at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl back in January has done nothing but boost Cooper’s draft stock.

The affable NFL hopeful recently spoke with LombardiAve to recount his growth from lackadaisical teen to accountable, team-first rookie-in-training that is less than two weeks away from competing against the sport’s cream of the crop in the NFL.

Cooper answered every question in full detail demonstrating his overall analytical prowess and attention to detail—two skills that will serve him well once he starts getting compensated for his services upon earning a spot on a 53-man roster or practice squad.

Here is the small-school phenom in his own words.