No. 5: WR Cooper Kupp
The Eastern Washington University product is the best receiver you’ve never heard of. The 6-foot-2 Kupp –who owns the NCAA record in TDs (73) and receptions (428), the FCS record in yards per game (124.3) and TDs per game (1.40), and the all collegiate mark in yards (6,464)– only received two scholarship offers out of high school.
That’s right, nobody in the history of NCAA FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III or NAIA football has amassed more receiving yards than Cooper Kupp.
San Francisco 49ers
Before the counterargument of “He played at Eastern Washington” can begin, keep this in mind. Yes, Kupp did play talent lower than the level of Alabama, Clemson and Michigan. But when given the opportunity to play against the top talent, Kupp absolutely shined. In four games against Pac-12 competition (University of Washington, University of Oregon, Oregon State University and Washington State University):
- 40 catches; 716 yards; 11 TDs.
Attention-grabbing statistics when considering the competition faced. And the attention-grabbing didn’t stop after he finished his career at EWU. Kupp was the talk of the Senior Bowl, with his play at practice all week garnering the focus of the national media.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller wrote that besides his on field production, scouts love Kupp’s work ethic and professionalism. The 49ers are trying to build a culture of professionalism, most recently seen with the signing of defensive linemen Earl Mitchell.
The wide receiver from EWU was originally projected as a mid round selection in most draft rankings, but that seems to no longer be the case. Second round seems far more likely, with whispers of the first round lingering in the background. Clearly, the buzz about Kupp is real.
With a deficiency at wide receiver, Kupp is most definitely someone the 49ers need to be watching at the combine.