Washington State defensive lineman Xavier Cooper, who played end and tackle for the Cougars, intends to bypass his senior season and apply for early entry into the 2015 NFL Draft.
Cooper (6-foot-4, 299 pounds) was a three-year starter for the Cougars after redshirting as a true freshman in 2011, and he leaves with 13 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss and 121 tackles; the TFL total is eighth-best in school history. He had 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in three career games against Oregon.
He looks to fit best as a tackle in a 4-3 but can play end in a 4-3, and that versatility is a selling point. He has good size, moves well laterally and has a disruptive first step. He should go early on the third day, if not late on the second.
Cooper, a criminal justice major, said he expects to graduate in May.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
