EWU’s Kupp expected to be picked early in draft
The Big Sky Conference hasn’t had anyone selected in the first round of the NFL Draft in nearly 30 years.
Could Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp end that trend?
“I don’t know that he’ll sneak into the first round, but he’s definitely a second or third-round guy,” said Jon Kasper. “And that would be great for the Big Sky Conference.”
Kasper, a former standout athlete at C.M. Russell High, has for many years been an assistant commissioner with the Big Sky. The league hasn’t had a first-round draft pick since receiver Shawn Collins of Northern Arizona was picked by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1989 draft. Collins eventually played five seasons in the NFL.
“Kupp has gotten a lot of pre-draft publicity and he’s definitely worthy of the hype,” Kasper said. “He’s the best receiver I’ve seen and one of the top three or four players overall in the 25 years that I’ve been following the Big Sky Conference.”
The Draft is in Philadelphia and starts Thursday night at 6 with the first round. The second and third rounds begin at 5 p.m. Friday, with rounds 4-7 slated for Saturday morning.
Kupp established 11 Big Sky awards in his career. He also set 15 national (FCS) marks and finished his amazing career with 428 receptions for 6,464 yards and 73 touchdowns. The 6-2, 215-pounder was named an FCS All-American all four years of his EWU career.
“It’s very exciting, because we know what a quality kid he is, too,” Kasper said. “We’ve had him down at the Kickoff in Park City, Utah, two straight summers and he’s just a joy to be around.”
Kupp’s father, Craig, and grandfather, Jake, both played in the NFL.
“Cooper’s going to know what to expect when he gets there,” Kasper said.
The only knock on Kupp is speed; he ran a 4.56 on his pro day and was timed in 4.62 at the NFL Combine.
“He may not have the 4.4 speed – I think we’ve had faster guys – but from a football knowledge standpoint, route-running and understanding the game of football, he’s so talented,” Kasper said. “I’ve heard people compare him to Jordy Nelson. He didn’t have a blazing 40-yard dash time, either (coming out of Kansas State). But when you understand the game the way Cooper Kupp does he picks up some quickness. He’s so smart he’s a step away from the cornerbacks.”
Kasper said several other Big Sky Conference players could hear their names called by NFL teams this weekend.
“The other guy who has the best chance of getting drafteed is Eastern Washington defensive end Sampson Ebukam,” Kasper said. “He ran a really good 40 time at his pro day (4.45 at 6-2, 240 pounds). He’s a guy who didn’t put up huge numbers in the Big Sky, but he has all the tools athletically.
“I would say Xavier Coleman, a cornerback from Portland State, could be a seventh-rounder or a free agent. I’ve read the other day there’s been some interest in him from the Seahawks.”
What about Montana and Montana State athletes?
“The ones I’ve seen mentioned as seventh-rounders or free agents are (offensive lineman) JP Flynn from Montana State and (cornerback) JR Nelson and (safety) Yamen Sanders from Montana,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kasper said he wishes the best for his old CMR teammate Ryan Leaf, the former San Diego Chargers’ No. 1 pick who has rebounded from much personal heartache to get his life back on the right track.
Leaf, 40, is recovering from drug dependency and has recently been featured in many major outlets for his role as an ambassador for Transcend Recovery Community, an organization dedicated to helping people achieve long-lasting sobriety with offices in Los Angeles, New York and Houston.
Leaf will be providing analysis for ESPN on the upcoming draft.
“I’m really extremely happy for Ryan Leaf,” said Kasper, who as a senior in high school caught Leaf’s first varsity touchdown pass. “I’ve been following what he’s been doing and have read the stories, and I just think it’s tremendous. You just hope he takes it day by day, because it’s not easy. There will probably be temptations down the road, but I couldn’t be happier for him and to see him making a positive impact on people.”