Cooper Mays

Last updated

Cooper Mays
Tennessee Volunteers–No. 63
Position Center
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born: (2001-03-11) March 11, 2001 (age 23)
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight310 lb (141 kg)
Career history
College
High school Knoxville Catholic (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Career highlights and awards

Cooper Morgan Mays (born March 11, 2001) is an American football center who plays for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Contents

Early years

Mays was born on March 11, 2001. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but grew up on a farm in Kingston, Tennessee. [1] Mays attended Knoxville Catholic High School, [2] where he played football. After being named an all-state player by the TSWA during his junior and senior years, Webb was rated as a four-star recruit and a consensus top-ten center in his class. [3] Mays committed to play college football for the University of Tennessee [4] over Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Georgia. [5]

College career

In his freshman year, Mays played in ten games for Tennessee and started two. [6] Mays started eight games the following year despite an injury that caused him to miss six games during the year. In his junior year, Mays started all thirteen games of the season and helped the Tennessee offensive line be named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award and the Tennessee offense be ranked number one in the nation. [7] [8] Before the 2023 season, Mays was named on the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy. [9] On August 9, Mays underwent surgery for a hernia. [10] The procedure caused him to miss the first four games of the season; nevertheless, Mays started the final nine games and again was a part of the Tennessee offensive line that was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. [11] [12] [13] Additionally, Mays was named a member of the second-team All-SEC team. [14] Mays elected to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the shortened 2020 season and return to Tennessee for a fifth year. [15] [16] Before the 2024 season started, Mays was named on the watchlist for the first and second All-SEC teams, [17] the first and second All-American teams, [18] along with the Outland Trophy [19] and the Rimington Trophy. [20]

Personal life

Mays' brother, Cade Mays, played football at Tennessee with Cooper before becoming an offensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers. [21] [22] [23] Mays' father, Kevin, also played football at Tennessee, playing from 1991 to 1994 and serving as captain of the team. [24] [25] Mays graduated with a degree in sports management in 2024. [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Oher</span> American football player (born 1986)

Michael Jerome Oher is an American former football tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football at the University of Mississippi, where he earned unanimous All-American honors as a senior, and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft. He spent his first five seasons with the Ravens and was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XLVII. He later played one season for the Tennessee Titans and his final two for the Carolina Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee Volunteers football</span> Football team of the University of Tennessee

The Tennessee Volunteers football program represents the University of Tennessee (UT).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida–Tennessee football rivalry</span> American college football rivalry

The Florida–Tennessee football rivalry, also called the Third Saturday in September, is an American college football rivalry between the Florida Gators football team of the University of Florida and Tennessee Volunteers football team of the University of Tennessee, who first met on the football field in 1916. The Gators and Vols have competed in the same athletic conference since Florida joined the now-defunct Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1910, and the schools were founding members of the Southeastern Conference in 1932. Despite this long conference association, a true rivalry did not develop until the early 1990s due to the infrequency of earlier meetings; in the first seventy-six years (1916–91) of the series, the two teams met just twenty-one times. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) expanded to twelve universities and split into two divisions in 1992. Florida and Tennessee were placed in the SEC's East Division and have met on a home-and-home basis every season since. Their rivalry quickly blossomed in intensity and importance in the 1990s and early 2000s as both programs regularly fielded national championship contending teams under coaches Phil Fulmer of Tennessee and Steve Spurrier at Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Auburn Tigers football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University during 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tommy Tuberville served his tenth and final season as head coach at Auburn. He was joined by a new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads and new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin, who attempted to implement Tuberville’s new without the proper players suited for the spread offense in a failed effort to correct the Tigers' offensive struggles in 2007. Tuberville fired Franklin six games into the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 2008 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by head football coach Phillip Fulmer in his 16th and final season as head coach. The Vols played their home games in Neyland Stadium and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The 2008 campaign followed a 10–4 2007 season, which saw the Vols win the Eastern Division of the conference and the Outback Bowl. This season marked the ten year anniversary of Tennessee's 1998 BCS National Championship. On November 3, Fulmer announced that, after winning some 150 games over his career, he would step down from coaching his alma mater at the end of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 2014 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the 118th overall season, 81st as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and its 23rd within the SEC Eastern Division. The team was coached by Butch Jones in his second season with Tennessee, and played its home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

David Glenn Douglas was an American football offensive lineman who played five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the eighth round of the 1986 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Tennessee and attended Rhea County High School in Evensville, Tennessee. Douglas died of brain cancer on February 27, 2016, at the age of 52.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Kelly (American football)</span> American football player (born 1993)

Ryan Patrick Kelly is an American professional football center for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Colts in first round of the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Tennessee Volunteers football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee and competed in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt. They finished the season 5–7, 2–6 in SEC play to finish in last place in the Eastern Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trey Smith (offensive lineman)</span> American football player (born 1999)

Henry Louis "Trey" Smith III is an American professional football guard for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tennessee before he was drafted by the Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This was the Crimson Tide's 126th overall season, 87th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 29th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by 14th-year head coach Nick Saban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landon Dickerson</span> American football player (born 1998)

Landon Dickerson is an American professional football guard for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a center for the Florida State Seminoles and the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Crimson Tide's 129th overall season, 90th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 32nd and final season within the SEC Western Division, with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC on July 1, 2024. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by Nick Saban in his 17th and final season as head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cade Mays</span> American football player (born 1999)

Cade Montgomery Mays is an American football center for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Georgia before transferring to Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olusegun Oluwatimi</span> American football player (born 1999)

Olusegun Oluwatimi is an American football center for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers and the Michigan Wolverines. He was an All-American with Michigan, winning the Rimington Trophy, Outland Trophy and the Joe Moore Award in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Georgia Bulldogs football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Georgia Bulldogs football team represented the University of Georgia in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Southeastern Conference. The team was led by Kirby Smart in his eighth year as Georgia's head coach. The Bulldogs entered this season as the two-time defending consensus national champions.

Wanya Jacques-Keyshawn Morris is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Tennessee and Oklahoma.

Javontez Armid Spraggins is an American football offensive lineman for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Tate Collier Ratledge is an American football offensive guard for the Georgia Bulldogs. He won two national championships with the Bulldogs.

Hayden Howerton is an American football offensive lineman who is a free agent. He played college football at SMU.

References

  1. ↑ Truax, Barkley (August 16, 2024). "Cooper Mays explains how his farm upbringing impacts him on the field". On3. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Cooper Mays: Tennessee football offensive lineman from Knoxville Catholic through the years". Knox News. June 21, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  3. ↑ Hanley, Gene (June 22, 2019). "Offensive lineman Cooper Mays commits to Vols". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Tennessee legacy, in-state lineman Cooper Mays commits the Vols". Saturday Down South. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  5. ↑ Callahan, Ryan (May 4, 2019). "OL Mays 'comfortable' with Vols, still weighing options". 247 Sports. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Cooper Mays". Sports Illustrated. February 20, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  7. ↑ Sparks, Adam (November 15, 2022). "Tennessee listed among best offensive lines in college football". Knox News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  8. ↑ Wilson, Mike (September 14, 2023). "Cooper Mays could play at Florida. What it means for Tennessee football's offense". Knox News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  9. ↑ Hopkins, Will (August 7, 2023). "Cooper Mays Named To Rimington Trophy Watch List". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  10. ↑ Brown, Patrick (August 7, 2024). "Center of attention: Vols working through 'ordeal' in finding Cooper Mays insurance". 247 Sports. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  11. ↑ Sparks, Adam (October 4, 2023). "How Cooper Mays returned from injury for Tennessee football and dealt with speculation". Knox News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  12. ↑ Paschall, David (August 5, 2024). "Vols boasting 'super veteran group' on offensive front". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  13. ↑ Woods, Eric (October 4, 2023). "'Sometimes it hurts to play the game': Cooper Mays plays through pain, makes immediate impact for Tennessee football". The Daily Beacon. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  14. ↑ Schumpert, Ryan (December 5, 2023). "Trio Of Tennessee Football Players Land On AP All-SEC Teams". Rocky Top Insider. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  15. ↑ Jordan, Avery (December 15, 2023). "Center Cooper Mays returning for one more year of Vol football". WVLT. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  16. ↑ Butler, Ric (December 20, 2023). "Tennessee Veteran Cooper Mays Details Decision to Return to Vols in 2024". Rocky Top Insider. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  17. ↑ Russo, Rick (July 19, 2024). "All-SEC Vols Mays and Pearce earn first team preseason honors". WVLT. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  18. ↑ Crowell, Evan (August 14, 2024). "Cooper Mays Gets ESPN Preseason All-American Status". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Mays & Pearce Jr. Tabbed to Outland & Nagurski Watch Lists". Morgan County News. August 7, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Cooper Mays Lands on Rimington Trophy Watch List". UT Sports. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  21. ↑ Hunte, Sydney (November 26, 2020). "Tennessee's Cade, Cooper Mays discuss bond as brothers, teammates on Volunteers football team". Saturday Down South. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Cade Mays and Cooper Mays: Brothers on Tennessee Vols 2020 football team in photos". Knox News. May 27, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Tennessee offers 2020 OL Cooper Mays, brother of UT five-star commit Cade Mays". USA Today High School Sports. August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  24. ↑ Kreager, Tom (June 21, 2019). "Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Catholic's Cooper Mays to follow in dad's footsteps at UT". Knox News. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  25. ↑ Birchfield, Jeff (June 24, 2024). "Mays carrying on family tradition as Vols lineman" . Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Cooper Mays". UT Sports. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.