10 things to know about Cowboys’ Cooper Beebe: ‘Bulldozer in cleats’ could start at center

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.

1. The basics

Birthdate: May 19, 2001 (Age 23)

Position: OL

Height: 6-3

Weight: 322 pounds

College: Kansas State

2. Position change

When he was selected by the Cowboys on draft night, Beebe got a call from the Cowboys’ Mike Solari.

“Start working on center,’’ the club’s offensive line coach told him.

Beebe was a guard at Kansas State, but he’ll likely be competing for the Cowboys’ starting center job when camp begins.

Center Tyler Biadasz, who started for Dallas the past four seasons, signed with the Washington Commanders during the offseason.

Beebe’s shorter arms project him to center, where he joins a competition with Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass for the starting job.

3. Not far from the tree

Beebe comes from a family of big, strong, Kansas-bred offensive linemen.

His father, Tom, was an All-American guard at Pittsburg (Kan.) State. His younger brother, Camden, is a sophomore lineman at Kansas State.

4. He’ll practice anywhere, with anyone

If Beebe has a ball in his hands and you happen to walk by, the Cowboys rookie will likely ask you a favor:

Would you mind taking a few snaps?

“I mean, anybody that will catch,’’ Beebe said of who’s on his list. “That’s really the biggest thing for me.

“I’ll be in the hotel just taking snaps in the ballroom, that type of thing.’’

5. 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 leading the Cowboys’ o-line to start the 2024 season.

6. Already impressing Cowboys coaches, front office

Beebe made it clear in his first few days of practice at The Star that he has the discipline, approach and football IQ to make the transition to center work.

Beebe has reportedly immersed himself in film work to make up for lost time studying NFL centers.

“If we needed a guard, we’d be starting him out at guard,’’ executive vice president Stephen Jones said in May. “He’s just got that kind of versatility.’’

7. Travis Frederick comps

With all that in mind, it’s really not much of a surprise that Beebe is already drawing comparisons to Travis Frederick, who was perhaps the greatest center in Cowboys history.

Beebe is at left tackle (No. 50) in the clip below.

8. Experience and accolades

Beebe was an anchor on the Wildcats offensive line in 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.”

9. Bonding with the first-rounder

The Cowboys hope they found a pair of long-term offensive line starters in the 2024 draft.

Beebe being one, first-round tackle selection Tyler Guyton being the other.

Beebe and Guyton bonded at rookie minicamp, spending time at the hotel simulating walk-throughs to be ready for practice. Guyton would quiz him about something they learned. Beebe would come back with another question to see if Guyton could answer.

Sounds like the rookies are off on the right foot.

10. 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.

Meet the 2024 Dallas Cowboys draftees

-Tyler Guyton

-Marshawn Kneeland

-Marist Liufau

-Caelen Carson

-Ryan Flournoy

-Nathan Thomas

Twitter: @dmn_cowboys

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