If you’re a fan of college football, you know that most players consider their teammates like “family”. Not all family members like each other; some can’t sit at the same table at Thanksgiving, but at the end of the day, they still have each other’s back.
Some players, on the other hand, consider their closest teammates like “brothers”. They pick up on each other’s mannerisms and habits while operating as one unit on the field. There’s a lot to be said about that kind of bond, especially for those who constantly work toward the same goals. No one knows a quarterback better than his receiver. No one knows a placekicker better than his holder. And no one knows a running back better than those who block for him.
That’s something that Tennessee center Cooper Mays is familiar with.
Mays has nothing but good things to say about one his best friends on the team, running back Jabari Small. When asked how he liked blocking for the 5-foot-11, 213 pound tailckback, Mays said, “I love blocking for Jabari. That’s my dude. He’s one of my best friends.”
“If you look at running backs that have the ability to make people miss and have a good feel for the game like Jabari, it’s a really good feeling to have him back there. Even in pass protection, I’ll regularly have a play or two out of a drive where he’ll come and help clean up whatever I’m blocking. He’s like, “I got you Coop”. Just having somebody back there that’s a ride-or-die type dude, and you know what kind of energy he’s going to bring, you can’t compare to that”.
Jabari’s energy and work ethic on the field is rumored to have transferred to the weight room. According to several onlookers, Jabari has increased in size and overall physicality. According to Cooper, that comes from not only the work in the weight room, but the right mindset.
“No doubt, you look at somebody … that comes in with consistency and a business-like approach to everything, he’s one of those guys. He comes in with the right mentality every day, just ready to get better and ready to work. I think a big focus for him this offseason was just bulking up and getting bigger and stronger to make sure he stays healthy this season. He took the weight room extremely serious; he’s really strong and it’s paid off.”
Tennessee fans will certainly be happy with Cooper’s assessment, especially when they see Jabari in action on the field.
