Many draft experts project Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper to be among the first five players selected in tonight’s NFL Draft (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) from Chicago.
For Cooper, joining the NFL fraternity is a step in a journey to greatness many have forecast for him, including ESPN NFL analyst and mentor Cris Carter. For years, the Hall of Famer has raved about Cooper’s football skills and character.
“It was great hearing that from a Hall of Fame guy,” Cooper told Front Row during his ESPN Car Wash earlier this month. “But I don’t want it to seem like I’m already there. I want to keep working and keep getting better.”
Cooper told Front Row about training with Carter, his ESPN Sport Science segment and more.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned training with Cris Carter in the offseason?
I learned the right ways to run routes. He taught me how to use my hips, how to catch the ball correctly so that it won’t make a sound as it touches your hands.
What did you think about your ESPN Sport Science segment? Did you ever get hit by the “YAC Attack” swinging punching bags?
It was a great experience and it was really fun, first of all. It’s a show that I’ve always watched and wanted to be a part of. I never got hit [by the swinging punching bags], I almost got hit by them. The cameraman got hit by them!
Recently on ESPN.com, ESPN NFL Draft Expert Mel Kiper wrote that if the Oakland Raiders selected you to team with recently acquired receiver Michael Crabtree, the veteran would be the “side dish, [as] Cooper is the steak.” What’s your reaction to that praise?
I really look up to Michael Crabtree. I was a big fan of his [when he was at] Texas Tech. He won a Bilentnikoff Award and I wanted to be like that. [Cooper won the 2014 award.] I think he’s a great receiver and I think if we played together, we’d complement each other well.
I wouldn’t think that someone would have gotten him to put on that cap. I don’t know how [Cowherd] did that! [Coach Saban is] definitely a funny guy. Examples? There’s a lot of funny things I don’t wish to say right now.
