Photo by Elizabeth Olivier
Tennessee fullback Kevin Cooper (45) blocks linebacker Savion Frazier, left, during a scrimmage Saturday night, allowing Tennessee tailback Lennon Creer, right, to run for yardage
Photo by Wade Payne, Special to the News Sentinel
UT football coach Phillip Fulmer motions to players during a practice Monday afternoon .
Cooper
Kevin Cooper isn't an en vogue player.
Playing fullback limits his popularity. Most often, fullbacks toil in the shadows and are rarely rewarded for their struggles.
Moreover, fullbacks just aren't what they once were in football. Nowadays, teams - college and pro - are more likely to choose a two-tight end formation over a prototypical lead blocking fullback out of the backfield.
Coaches are quick to point out that the two-tight end set is more difficult for defenses to decipher.
Yet, there is a disadvantage to having a lead blocker sidestepping in the backfield as an H-back or with his hand down as a tight end. Too often tight ends do more shielding than blocking.
"You can come off harder than you would on the line," Cooper said of playing fullback. "Instead of stepping down, you can power that guy. Fullback is better if you want to play smash-mouth football."
Cooper is UT's only true scholarship fullback. Other Vols may play fullback, but they also play H-back and/or tight end.
That doesn't mean that Cooper doesn't have competition for playing time. Each time he steps on the practice field he's representing an entire formation. Cooper believes there should be an "I" (as in I-formation) in his team.
"I know I'm competing with the tight ends," the sophomore from Chattanooga Baylor said. "You can run both (formations) in the scheme of things, but I want them to put the fullback on the field."
That desire has been readily apparent during camp.
"I think he has made some unbelievable gains this offseason," running backs coach Stan Drayton said.
Drayton isn't just pleased with Cooper's lead blocking. He's also been impressed with Cooper's receiving ability.
"He's really made himself valuable on this football team," Drayton said.
Cooper's fantastic fall camp may have never happened had it not been for a devastating knee injury suffered by projected starting fullback David Holbert in spring practice.
Cooper has more opportunity than he ever asked for. He regularly practices with the first and second team - a must considering UT's lack of depth at the position.
Still dripping sweat following a two-a-day workout this week, Cooper just shook his head and sighed when asked about the workload.
"I'm giving it," he said. "I have to get game ready."
And that's no easy task.
"It's hard to find that thumper that can be a short-yardage guy, an isolation guy and can also get out there and route run and beat a linebacker or safety," coach Phillip Fulmer said.
That laundry list of responsibilities is a luxury for a fullback. Lead blocking is an absolute must.
"He's proving he can be physical at the point of attack," Drayton said of Cooper. "He's starting to move people once contact is made. That's something that is new for him."
The Vols found themselves in an odd situation against Cal last season. Needing to convert near the goal line, UT's coaches chose walk-on fullback Ryan Hill to lead the charge out of the backfield.
Hill is to be commended for climbing the depth chart, but for UT it signaled a long fall from its fullbacks of the past, such as Will Bartholomew, Roland Poles or Greg Amsler.
Teams may continue to rely on the two-tight end set, but a fullback will always be in demand.
"Especially here at Tennessee," Drayton said, "where we're going to run the football.
"We need one head banger."
Cooper said he's sick of watching the two-tight end set receive all the glory in college and the NFL. He's ready to prove that there's still room for a tough, physical fullback.
"There's no such thing as a soft fullback," he said. "… Fullback is where my heart is."
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Comments » 79
Laydbakvol writes:
I refuse to say it.
aivol writes:
first
VOLatile writes:
1st
aivol writes:
man, you must have clicked it right before me, lol.
VOLatile writes:
Da&&it!
Volnation writes:
wow this is so cool
im first no your first hehehe how cute.
VOLatile writes:
chat, nation
VOLatile writes:
As in Choo-Choo?
FWBVol writes:
I know I'm old school, and just plain old, but i love Kevin Cooper's attitude when it comes to playing fullback.
Give me a John Riggins, Larry Csonka or Jim Taylor that aren't afraid to punish a tackler.
Of course guys like Mose Phillips and Shawn Bryson who had the speed to go the distance and weren't bad blockers either are always nice to have as well.
VOLatile writes:
there's nothing wrong with old school. that's the attitude we need in the backfield. that mentatlity will help crompton go along way with gaining some confidence (insert cliche'). he knows somebody is back there going to crack some skulls...that's is what he needs
Gigavol writes:
Uh oh, those Vol fan clowns at http://www.SmashSouthSports.com will be all over this one.
This article is a little iffy, but if the KNS had just simply printed "VOLS WILL USE A FULLBACK", it would have been more news than the average article. I look forward to a blocking and catching fullback.
Urban_Weiner writes:
I was at Saturday's scrimmage and was very impressed with Cooper's hands, he made some amazing catches, including a nice one handed grab! He has good size and surprisingly good speed! I look forward to seeing how the VOLS are going to use him!
britt writes:
This is what i like to hear. Cooper Bartholomew and Johnson could go along way toward bringing back our running game.
FREE BRANDON WARREN!!!
xvolx writes:
we need to find a running back. foster and hardesty just dont cut it.
FLAVOLS writes:
I like that comment Britt.
FREE BRANDON WARREN!!!!!!!
txsvol#372416 writes:
Glad to hear that Kevin can lay a lick at the point of attack. Whenever he dominates the defensive player he blocks, I suggest that the term "Nooga Noogie" be used to describe what happens to the 'blockee.' Assuming that we need a power formation near the goal line, why not put the OL not in the game, say Vlad Richard, as the lead, with Kevin Cooper right behind, and the TB (probably Arian Foster) following the blockers. Here we come! Stop us if you can! Go Vols! SAVol
FWBVol writes:
xvolx, I hope you aren't serious, because if you are that's one of the dumbest post I've seen on this site.
Foster should break Travis Henry's UT career rushing record this season and probably would have been taken in the second round if he had gone into the draft this year.
Hardesty has all the talent in the world, but is one of those guys that can't shake the injury bug. If he ever can stay healthy he could put up great numbers.
gnm53108 writes:
I really do miss the I formation.Just dont put it in and run off tackle right or left every time that we show it.Predicablility can kill you.Thats why CPF went outside the family with Clawson.We are gonna have to take avantage of the suprise factor till the Clawfense is established.Might take a little while.
Get the frost brewed ready.
Can you smell it?
It's almost FOOTBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!
iowavol writes:
Folks, xvolx isn't a UT fan - he's some other imposter - probably crvol in drag. I can't wait till this site goes pay based again and we can get the kids like the first three posters OFF the board. What a waste of my time. Especially the one that reposted "oh, you must of hit enter right before me" - you think! What an idiot.
On the other hand, I can't wait to see Cooper lay the wood. The comment about Eddie George, et al, is a good point. Right now, I can't remember who Bartholomew blocked for, but I can remember his blocks, especially one against Alabama where he knocked the LB from the 2 yard line half way through the end zone and then pancacked the crapped out him.
Feared_Mustang_Package writes:
I'm just glad we have a fullback. Preciate' ya Durham.
SemperVol writes:
Cooper the Motor Grader. Good ring to it.
lomas98 writes:
Fullback has been a big part of TN offense and we just haven't had it the last few years. During the 98 run, Shawn Bryson would just move some people out of there. Of course we had more talented RB's then, but I believe our guys now would benefit from a Bryson laying some hats to the LB's.
JHCRANE writes:
About time we got a real fullback back in our offense.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
xvolx 12:42, I agree with you to an extent. Arian is a good RB but people make too big a deal about him breaking Henry's record. Arian started halfway through his freshman year and has been the starter ever since. Henry had to wait behind Jamal. If Henry started as many games as Arian did his record would not be threatened by Arian. Hardesty & Foster are good RB's but Jamal & Travis were exceptional backs. I'm hoping Creer & Poole will be the next great ones.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
Bring on the fullbacks & let's get back to being a DOMINANT running team again. Long live Clawson!
leedsvol2007 writes:
The position is really like a 3rd guard with the main responsibility to pick off linebackers, usually the most difficult opponents to block due to their strength size and quickness.
If they can catch like an Amsler or Bryson its a real bonus because against certain defensive sets a quick starting fullback can make some effective runs.
Obviously they can be a key in pass protection as well. With the uncertain depth at tight end we will need an effective fullback this year if nothing else to keep the tight end fresh.
GoVols!
xvolx writes:
I dont dislike foster. seems like a good person. works hard. just dont think he is a good running back. If coker the toker could have stayed clean, he would have beat foster out for starter. we havent had a good runner since travis stephens. by the way fwbvol, I was a vol fan when you was still pooping yellow. take off those orange glasses at times and look at the facts. I see poole as the next good running back.
miamiVOL writes:
it made me SO MAD last yr when i was @ CAL watching us get denied on the 1 yard line repeatedly, when has that ever been TN football?
I know A.Foster likes to go for the end jump on goal line plays, i hope he will just truck it in following a big hole from Cooper this yr.
xvolx writes:
thanks jmbigorange. remember hacksaw reynolds, jamie rotella. no missed tackles here.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
xvolx, Itoo think Coker would have beaten Foster out for starting position. As far as Travis Stephens, he had the benefit of a tremendous O-line to run behind. We need another Chuck Webb minus the knee injury. He like Jamal came in and dominated his freshman year. I thought Creer would be that guy but it's looking like Poole is gonna be that guy.
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
How about Big Al wilson , Leonard little, & reynoch thompsom. Pretty good tacklers also.
Go4Two writes:
great to see us getting a Full Back ready. The lack of a Quality FB has really hurt our short yardage converisons of lately
vol4gzus writes:
Smash mouth vs. trash mouth. Let your playing do the talking son! Knock down so rb behind can run for a while.
Smokey down 400 votes to Saint Joes Hawk as of about 2 minutes ago.Sorry that was about Mascot hall of fame voting.
xvolx writes:
I agree. cobbweb. ah the memories
xvolx writes:
vol4gzus. put me down for the garthac from rimulac. lardslap
APPLEJAX555 writes:
you may be first, but Im best! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! A Big Rick Flair to everyone.. cuz its almost football time in TN!
smokey90 writes:
Wow! Greg Amsler was remembered in this article. I had a lot of classes with Amsler. He was a good guy and a strong fullback. Got a lot of playing time.
chad_t31 writes:
I agree with leedsvol. When I read about his receiving ability, I immediately thought of bryson and amsler. Can never have too many weapons.
FWBVol writes:
xvolx, I don't know how old you are, or think I am, but I'm old enough to have seen Bear Bryant coach in Neyland against Bill Battle as a freshman at UT.
FYI, the Vols ran the wishbone and had Bobby Emmonds at fullback with Mike Gayle and Kelsey Finch at the two halfbacks with Stanley Morgan getting some snaps at halfback too.
Now if you want to talk about big fullbacks, Emmonds was a horse, something like 6-2, 230. And we've forgotten about Hubert Simpson, a one-man wrecking crew against the Irish in 1979 in a 40-18 win in Knoxville.
I'm not saying Foster or Hardesty are the greatest backs to come through UT, but to say they don't cut it, again, that's just plain dumb.
auttat writes:
xvolx sees Poole as the next great runner, yet he hasn't seem him play one single snap in college. Wow! Talk about some foresight!!
VolGraduate writes:
gen w - isn't the engine in the front? that's bad news for TDTN
rich - i agree about neal. why the titans let him go is beyond me
vol4gzus writes:
I thot that would be your choice , but wanted to hear it from you first xvolx. Hey it is Smokey and we have a little filler time b4 it is FUTBOL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!
go coop!!
xvolx writes:
only if we can find an o line that can run block. if you are waiting on foster and hardesty to provide, you are walking backwards. I cant help it if I can see into the future. just a gift.
LanceR24 writes:
BRANDON WARREN WON HIS APPEAL AND WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR UCLA!!!!! per rivals John Brice
BigOrangeManiac writes:
BRANDON WARREN IS ELIGIBLE!!!
VolGraduate writes:
great news...
Orangebrewbasher writes:
Just got the news also...BW IS ELIGIBLE
xvolx writes:
now thats good news lancer24. hope he can keep his grades up
xvolx writes:
free at last, free at last. brandon warren is free at last
SemperVol writes:
Sweet news, vol fans ain't it?
So glad this guy has a chance. This has been ridiculous. Wish you a happy and healthy career in the best and brightest stadium you will ever see.
Nothing like it, Mr. Warren. Congratulations.
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