per mcginn
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M (6-2, 230): Four-year player, two-year starter. “He was the only one of the ‘backers that looked like the entire package,” said one scout. “He’s by far the best because he can rush the passer, too. Eight sacks this year as the boundary linebacker. He did play 7-technique sometimes. Has up-field dip. As an inside ‘backer, he timed his blitzes. You see him downfield with backs on wheels.” Clocked 4.51 with a vertical of 34 ½ and a broad jump of 9-10. “Starting with Alabama (Oct. 7) he played as good as any linebacker there is,” a second scout said. “He can fly. He might go (first round) but he can’t wear the green dot. They had a freshman (Taurean York) running the defense. Cooper’s problem is he’s a real linear built kid. He weighed 218 at the start of the year.” Has very long arms (34). “Physical freak,” a third scout said. “You want to draw up an NFL linebacker, he looks like one. Just the way this guy moves. He can cover — better in man than zone … He has been a little inconsistent. There are some concerns about his instincts. Just don’t give this guy too much. Put him at ‘will’ and let him run around. From a physical standpoint, if you’re comfortable with the guy mentally, he has first-round talent.”