{{Short description|American football player (born 2001)}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}} {{Infobox NFL player |name=Cooper Mays |image=Cooper Mays on Pilot Prep Sports.jpg |caption=Mays in 2019 |number=63 |position=Center |college= Tennessee (2020–2024) | undraftedyear = 2025 |high_school=Knoxville Catholic {{nowrap|(Knoxville, Tennessee)}} |birth_date={{Birth date and age|2001|03|11|mf=y}} |birth_place=Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |height_ft=6 |height_in=2 |weight_lb=305 |highlights= * First-team All-American (2024) * First-team All-SEC (2024) * Second-team All-SEC (2023) }} '''Cooper Morgan Mays''' (born March 11, 2001) is an American football center. Mays previously played for the Tennessee Volunteers.
==Early years== Mays was born on March 11, 2001. He was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but grew up on a farm in Kingston, Tennessee.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Truax |first=Barkley |date=August 16, 2024 |title=Cooper Mays explains how his farm upbringing impacts him on the field |url=https://www.on3.com/college/tennessee-volunteers/news/cooper-mays-explains-how-his-farm-upbringing-impacts-him-on-the-field/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=On3}}</ref> Mays attended Knoxville Catholic High School,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Cooper Mays: Tennessee football offensive lineman from Knoxville Catholic through the years |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/high-school/2019/06/21/tennessee-volunteers-cooper-mays-catholic-football/1528174001/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref> where he played football. After being named an all-state player by the TSWA during his junior and senior years, Mays was rated as a four-star recruit and a consensus top-ten center in his class.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanley |first=Gene |date=June 22, 2019 |title=Offensive lineman Cooper Mays commits to Vols |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2019/jun/22/offensive-lineman-cooper-mays-commits-vols/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press}}</ref> Mays committed to play college football for the University of Tennessee<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Tennessee legacy, in-state lineman Cooper Mays commits the Vols |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/cooper-mays-commits-tennessee-2019/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Saturday Down South}}</ref> over Auburn, Duke, Florida, and Georgia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Callahan |first=Ryan |date=May 4, 2019 |title=OL Mays 'comfortable' with Vols, still weighing options |url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/article/tennessee-football-recruiting-ol-cooper-mays-comfortable-with-vols-still-weighing-options-131778167/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=247 Sports}}</ref>
==College career== In his freshman year, Mays played in ten games for Tennessee and started two.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=February 20, 2021 |title=Cooper Mays |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/cooper-mays |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Mays started eight games the following year despite an injury that caused him to miss six games during the year. In his junior year, Mays started all thirteen games of the season and helped the Tennessee offensive line be named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award and the Tennessee offense be ranked number one in the nation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Tennessee listed among best offensive lines in college football |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/videos/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/2022/11/15/tennessee-listed-among-best-offensive-lines-college-football/10706490002/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Cooper Mays could play at Florida. What it means for Tennessee football's offense |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/09/14/cooper-mays-tennessee-football-health-injury-florida/70800626007/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref> Before the 2023 season, Mays was named on the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hopkins |first=Will |date=August 7, 2023 |title=Cooper Mays Named To Rimington Trophy Watch List |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/cooper-mays-named-to-rimington-trophy-watch-list |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> On August 9, Mays underwent surgery for a hernia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Patrick |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Center of attention: Vols working through 'ordeal' in finding Cooper Mays insurance |url=https://247sports.com/article/cooper-mays-tennessee-vols-football-working-through-ordeal-in-finding-insurance-center-of-attention-vysen-lang-william-satterwhite-234522296/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=247 Sports}}</ref> The procedure caused him to miss the first four games of the season; nevertheless, Mays started the final nine games and again was a part of the Tennessee offensive line that was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=October 4, 2023 |title=How Cooper Mays returned from injury for Tennessee football and dealt with speculation |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2023/10/04/cooper-mays-injury-tennessee-football-josh-heupel-speculation/70979455007/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Vols boasting 'super veteran group' on offensive front |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2024/aug/05/vols-boasting-super-veteran-group-on-offensive/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods |first=Eric |date=October 4, 2023 |title='Sometimes it hurts to play the game': Cooper Mays plays through pain, makes immediate impact for Tennessee football |url=https://www.utdailybeacon.com/sports/football/sometimes-it-hurts-to-play-the-game-cooper-mays-plays-through-pain-makes-immediate-impact/article_60071e46-62ff-11ee-881c-bfd4f68f597d.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=The Daily Beacon}}</ref> Additionally, Mays was named a member of the second-team All-SEC team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schumpert |first=Ryan |date=December 5, 2023 |title=Trio Of Tennessee Football Players Land On AP All-SEC Teams |url=https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2023/12/05/trio-of-tennessee-football-players-land-on-ap-all-sec-teams/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Rocky Top Insider}}</ref> Mays elected to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the shortened 2020 season and return to Tennessee for a fifth year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jordan |first=Avery |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Center Cooper Mays returning for one more year of Vol football |url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2023/12/15/center-cooper-mays-returning-one-more-year-vol-football/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=WVLT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Ric |date=December 20, 2023 |title=Tennessee Veteran Cooper Mays Details Decision to Return to Vols in 2024 |url=https://www.rockytopinsider.com/2023/12/20/tennessee-veteran-cooper-mays-details-decision-to-return-to-vols-in-2024/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Rocky Top Insider}}</ref> Before the 2024 season started, Mays was named on the watchlist for the first and second All-SEC teams,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russo |first=Rick |date=July 19, 2024 |title=All-SEC Vols Mays and Pearce earn first team preseason honors |url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/07/19/all-sec-vols-mays-pearce-earn-first-team-preseason-honors/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=WVLT}}</ref> the first and second All-American teams,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Crowell |first=Evan |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Cooper Mays Gets ESPN Preseason All-American Status |url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/football/cooper-mays-gets-espn-preseason-all-american-status |access-date=August 18, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> along with the Outland Trophy<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=Mays & Pearce Jr. Tabbed to Outland & Nagurski Watch Lists |url=https://www.themountainpress.com/morgan/sports/mays-pearce-jr-tabbed-to-outland-nagurski-watch-lists/article_fa9821b2-319b-5eee-a3fe-104dcdf2220b.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Morgan County News}}</ref> and the Rimington Trophy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Cooper Mays Lands on Rimington Trophy Watch List |url=https://utsports.com/news/2024/8/9/football-cooper-mays-lands-on-rimington-trophy-watch-list.aspx |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=UT Sports}}</ref> Following the regular season, Mays was named to the first-team All-SEC team<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Dylan Sampson leads six Tennessee football players on 2024 All-SEC coaches team |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/12/10/tennessee-football-all-sec-coaches-dylan-sampson-james-pearce-cooper-mays-jermod-mccoy/76885720007/ |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref> and became the first finalist for the Rimington Trophy in Tennessee football history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sparks |first=Adam |date=December 9, 2024 |title=Center Cooper Mays becomes first Rimington Trophy finalist in Tennessee football history |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2024/12/09/cooper-mays-rimington-trophy-finalist-tennessee-football/76803696007/ |access-date=December 10, 2024 |website=The Tennessean}}</ref> Additionally, Mays was named a first-team All-American.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lay |first=Ken |date=December 14, 2024 |title=Cooper Mays, Dylan Sampson receive multiple All-America honors |url=https://volswire.usatoday.com/2024/12/14/tennessee-vols-cooper-mays-dylan-sampson-receive-multiple-all-america-honors/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Vols Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 2 3/8 | weight = 305 | shuttle = 4.81 | cone drill = 8.24 | vertical = 26.0 | broad ft = 8 | broad in = 5 | arm span = 32 1/4 | hand span = 9 1/2 | note = All values from Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cooper Mays College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1041312&DraftYear=2025 |access-date=March 25, 2025 |website=DraftScout.com}}</ref> }} In May 2025, Mays received a tryout to Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Patrick |date=May 10, 2025 |title=Tennessee center Cooper Mays gets NFL tryout at rookie minicamp with Miami Dolphins |url=https://247sports.com/college/tennessee/article/cooper-mays-2025-nfl-draft-tennessee-vols-center-gets-tryout-miami-dolphins-rookie-minicamp-249375674/ |access-date=September 1, 2025 |website=247Sports}}</ref>
==Personal life== Mays' brother, Cade Mays, played football at Tennessee with Cooper before becoming an offensive lineman in the NFL.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunte |first=Sydney |date=November 26, 2020 |title=Tennessee's Cade, Cooper Mays discuss bond as brothers, teammates on Volunteers football team |url=https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/tennessee-football/tennessees-cade-cooper-mays-discuss-bond-as-brothers-teammates-on-volunteers-football-team/ |access-date=August 19, 2024 |website=Saturday Down South |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 27, 2020 |title=Cade Mays and Cooper Mays: Brothers on Tennessee Vols 2020 football team in photos |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2020/05/27/cade-and-cooper-mays-brothers-tennessee-football-team-pictures/5263846002/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 30, 2016 |title=Tennessee offers 2020 OL Cooper Mays, brother of UT five-star commit Cade Mays |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2016/tennessee-offers-2020-legacy-cooper-mays |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=USA Today High School Sports}}</ref> Mays' father, Kevin, also played football at Tennessee, playing from 1991 to 1994 and serving as captain of the team.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kreager |first=Tom |date=June 21, 2019 |title=Tennessee Vols football recruiting: Catholic's Cooper Mays to follow in dad's footsteps at UT |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/high-school/2019/06/21/cooper-mays-tennessee-volunteers-football-recruiting-knoxville-catholic/1527256001/ |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Birchfield |first=Jeff |date=June 24, 2024 |title=Mays carrying on family tradition as Vols lineman |url=https://www.timesnews.net/sports/college/mays-carrying-on-family-tradition-as-vols-lineman/article_5d9e0ef0-d76d-5189-a480-5460a2308218.html |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=TimesNews.net}}</ref> Mays graduated with a degree in sports management in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cooper Mays |url=https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/cooper-mays/20105 |access-date=August 18, 2024 |website=UT Sports}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Twitter|CooperMays}} *{{Instagram|coop.mays}} *[https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/cooper-mays/20105 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mays, Cooper}} Category:2001 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Knoxville, Tennessee Category:American football centers Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players Category:21st-century American sportsmen