Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal posted side-by-side pictures of starting offensive guard Anez Cooper in May 2022 and this year. Cooper lost over 50 pounds as a freshman and converted fat to muscle. As a freshman in 2022, Cooper played in 10 games with four starts.
Cooper started all 25 games for Miami at right guard in the last two seasons. Cooper is one of three returning starters for Miami on the 2024 OL. Miami also returns left tackle Jalen Rivers and right tackle Francis Mauigoa. Cooper has far exceeded his recruiting projections.
Cooper was the 1,149 signee, 109th offensive tackle and 47th prospect in Alabama out of Pleasant Grove. Per Pro Football Focus via David Lake of Inside the U, Cooper and Rivers played the most snaps for Miami during the 2023 season. Cooper and Rivers will be the leaders of the 2024 Miami OL.
The ACC named Cooper honorable mention all-conference following the 2023 season. Canes County ranked Cooper Miami’s third-best OL behind Rivers and Mauigoa. PFF graded Cooper above 80 four times in 2023. Cooper allowed one sack and eight hurries in 2023 per PFF via Canes County.
BEFORE (5/30/22) / AFTER (5/30/24) – proud of ‘U’ Coop! pic.twitter.com/SrUX35L3oY
— Alex Mirabal (@CoachMirabal) May 30, 2024
Per PFF via Canes County, Cooper graded in the 40s twice in run blocking and 50s five times in 2023. Those numbers need to improve for Cooper in 2023. Miami is expected to have a balanced offense in 2024 with Cam Ward at quarterback, Damien Martinez at QB and the receiving trio of Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Sam Brown.
Miami added Indiana transfer center Zach Carpenter as the fourth projected starting OL in 2024. Left guard is the only position open. With a new starting LG in 2023 replacing Javion Cohen, expect Cooper to become a mentor. Miami should continue to have an elite OL in 2023. Expect Cooper to be improved this season.
