Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe (50) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Houston in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)(Reed Hoffmann / AP)
The Cowboys found a potential starting center in the 2024 NFL draft.
With the ninth pick in the third round, Dallas took Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe.
Here are five things to know about Beebe.
Related:Meet the 2024 Cowboys draft class: Tyler Guyton headlines group of eight players
1. The basics
Birthdate: May 19, 2001 (Age 22)
Position: OL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 322 pounds
College: Kansas State
2. Likely position change
Beebe was a guard at Kansas State, but he’ll likely be competing for the Cowboys’ starting center job when camp begins.
His shorter arms project him to center, where he joins a competition with Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass for the starting job.
Center Tyler Biadasz, who started for Dallas the past four seasons, signed with the Washington Commanders during the offseason.
3. He likes to ‘dirt people’
It’s not exactly a common phrase but you can probably deduce from Beebe’s usage what it means.
“I would say I’m a pretty nasty guy,” Beebe said shortly after his selection by the Cowboys. “I’m a dude that tries to dirt people anytime I can. But I’m also a dude that just focuses on technique.”
Beebe is said to be a very physical lineman, a “bulldozer in cleats” according to one scout. He’ll have plenty of opportunity to “dirt people” should he be heading the Cowboys’ o-line to start the 2024 season.
4. Experience and accolades
Beebe was an anchor on the Wildcats offensive line for each of the past four seasons. In the last three, he started at least 13 games in each. He played in 51 games total and started 48 of them, ranked fifth among K-State offensive linemen since 1990.
He’s also one of the Wildcats’ most decorated. He was a First-Team All-American last season, Second-Team in 2022 and All-Big 12 from 2021-23.
Arguably as impressive? A heap of off-the-field awards, including First-Team All-Academic Big 12 every year since 2020.
He was also a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy, awarded to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. It’s better known as the “Academic Heisman.”
5. No relation
The name Beebe might ring a bell with some Cowboys fans.
But no, Cooper Beebe is of no relation to Don Beebe, the Buffalo Bills wide receiver who hustled back and knocked the ball loose during Leon Lett’s infamous fumble return in Super Bowl XXVII.
The #Bills’ Don Beebe’s prideful, hustling, never-quit trackdown of the #Cowboys’ Leon Lett late in Super Bowl XXVII.
Had Lett scored, it would have given Dallas the highest single-game point total in Super Bowl history.
Multiple teachable lessons here. pic.twitter.com/dd1ACOjR9W
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 1, 2023