From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Miami (FL) guard Anez Cooper.
#73 ANEZ COOPER/ OG MIAMI (FL) (SENIOR) – 6060, 334 pounds.
Combine Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Anez Cooper 6060/334 10′ 34′ N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A N/A N/A
The Good
— Impressive size and length
— Uses his length well in pass protection; wins with first contact
— Heavy hands with good punch
— Solid refitting his hands in pass protection
— Success in quick/jump sets
— Anchor versus power rushers is good
— Positions himself well as a run blocker on wall-off blocks
— Effective on double-team and combo blocks
— Enough mobility to pull in either direction
The Bad
— Poor pad level and minimal knee bend, pops up in his stance
— Bends over his toes when punching
— Struggles to match pass rushers crossing his face or on twists/stunts
— Poor locating targets in space
— Doesn’t get push on base blocks
— Hand placement when run blocking is inconsistent
— Lacks foot quickness to win consistently on reach blocks
— Doesn’t create movement on short yardage
Stats
— 52 games/46 starts
— Three-year starter
— 2025: Second-team All-ACC
— 2024: Honorable mention All-ACC
— 2023: Honorable mention All-ACC
— Helped No. 1 offense in nation in both points per game (43.9) and yards per game (537.2) in 2024
— East West Shrine Bowl invitee
— Came in as a freshman at 405 pounds.
Injury History
— 2024: Left game in second quarter vs Ball State (ankle)
Background
— Consensus three-star offensive line prospect
— Helped lead team to third straight Class 5A title game appearance in 2021
— First-team all-state selection and was
— One of three finalists for Lineman of the Year honors after senior season in high school
— Played center, guard and tackle
— Selected to play on Alabama All-Star Team for 35th annual Alabama-Mississippi Classic
Tape Breakdown
Anez Cooper is a fourth-year senior and three-year starter for the Hurricanes. He has elite height with very good weight, arm length, and hand size. He primarily played right guard in college, but Miami did use him in different spots on specific plays, including left guard, right tackle, and tight end.
As a pass protector, he has good hand placement and uses his length to his advantage. When he makes first contact with a good punch, he generally has success. He was solid refitting his hands to combat the opponent. Once locked on, he can control and limit the rushers’ movement. He showed success on jump and quick sets and displayed a good anchor versus power rushers.
In the run game, Cooper is more of a stalemate blocker than a people mover due to his high pad level. He has heavy hands and can deliver jarring blows. Once into contact, he keeps his feet churning and looks to finish plays. On short and long pulls, he displays solid mobility. He was effective on wall-off blocks with good positioning and play strength.
Cooper and the right tackle created good movement on double-team blocks. He was solid as the post on combo blocks with solid timing to the second level.
His pad level is poor, Cooper popping up in his stance with minimal knee bend and he is top heavy, leading to forward lean. His lateral footwork is adequate, and he struggles to match defenders crossing his face. This is also evident on twists and stunts where his mental processing is marginal.
When Cooper is late or wide with his hands, he will allow defenders to get around him.
On screens and when pulling, he was ineffective connecting with defenders in space. Additionally, cutting off defenders at the second level was not a strong suit.
Cooper’s drive and base blocks don’t create space with push. His hand placement on run plays is inconsistent. He doesn’t display the foot quickness to consistently win on reach blocks. On short yardage, he plays too high to create movement.
Conclusion
Cooper has impressive size with solid athleticism. He uses his length well and has heavy hands. When making first contact against rushers he can lock on and control their advance. As a run blocker, he is more successful as a positional blocker rather than one who creates space. He has enough athleticism to pull and is solid on double-team/combo blocks.
Areas to improve include his overall pad level and knee bend, his diagnosis of pass rushers and location of defenders on pulls and screens. Getting more push on base and drive blocks and short yardage would be helpful as well.
Cooper is highly experienced and enormous for the guard position. When he connects first with his hands his success rate goes way up. He may never play with appropriate pad level but his demeanor, heavy hands, play strength and positioning may be enough in the right scheme. His best fit would be in an inside-zone or gap scheme.
For a player comp, I will give you Jamaree Salyer. He has similar length and powerful hands and keeps his feet moving but struggles with pad level and mirroring quicker rushers.
NFL Projection: Early to Mid-Day 3Steelers Depot Grade: 7.7 (Spot Starter)Grade Range: 6.9 – 8.2Games Watched: 2025 – Vs Notre Dame, At Florida State, At Texas A&M, At Ohio State, Vs Indiana
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