Anchor of the Hurricanes' National Championship Run

The Miami Hurricanes' historic journey to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game was built on the broad shoulders of their offensive line, and no player embodied that "unmovable force" better than right guard Anez Cooper. Throughout the 2025 season, Cooper was the literal and metaphorical anchor of an offense that propelled Miami to the pinnacle of college football. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 334 pounds, Cooper’s massive frame and technical proficiency in the "phone booth" made him one of the most difficult blockers to bypass in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

As of April 10, 2026, Cooper is widely regarded as one of the premier interior offensive line prospects for the upcoming NFL Draft. Following a standout senior season where he earned First-Team All-ACC honors, Cooper has seen his draft stock stabilize as a high-floor Day 2 prospect. His performance during Miami’s run to the national runner-up finish was statistically dominant; he allowed only 12 pressures and a single sack across the entire 2025 campaign. Alongside tackle Francis Mauigoa, Cooper formed the right side of a "heavy" offensive line that specialized in punishing defensive fronts and protecting quarterback Carson Beck.

A Physical Presence in the Trenches

Cooper’s scouting profile is defined by his devastating strength in the run game. He is a master of the double-team and combo blocks, often washing out defenders to create massive lanes for Miami's rushing attack. In 2025, he earned an individual OL Impact grade of 81.3, reflecting his ability to dictate the pace of a game through sheer physicality. While some scouts have noted limitations in his lateral mobility and pull-blocking efficiency, his prowess as a positional blocker in gap and inside zone schemes is considered elite. Having entered the program as a 405-pound freshman in 2022, Cooper’s physical transformation into a 334-pound professional prospect is a testament to the development program under Mario Cristobal.

The Miami Hurricanes concluded their 2025 season with a bittersweet national runner-up finish, losing in a tightly contested final on January 19, 2026. Despite the loss, the season was a resounding success for the program, signaling Miami’s return as a national powerhouse. Cooper was a central figure in that revival, starting every game and leading a unit that helped Miami field one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. His experience in high-stakes, postseason environments has made him an attractive target for NFL teams looking for "pro-ready" interior blockers.

Day 2 Draft Projections and NFL Potential

With the 2026 NFL Draft just weeks away, Cooper is projected to be selected in the third or fourth round. Experts view him as a player who can immediately compete for a starting role at right guard in a scheme that prioritizes power and size. His combine performance and subsequent pro day workout on March 29, 2026, confirmed his status as a high-IQ player with enough explosiveness to win at the point of attack. As the Hurricanes look toward the 2026 season with spring practices currently underway, Anez Cooper’s departure leaves a massive void, but his legacy as a pillar of Miami’s championship-caliber line is firmly secure.