Unpacking Future Packers: No. 58, Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Kansas State OL Cooper Beebe.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

If the Green Bay Packers were to play a game tomorrow, they’d roll out Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center and Sean Rhyan at right guard. A solid interior offensive line. It’s the depth behind those three that leaves a lot to be desired.

With the Packers being owners of 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, it’s a safe bet that Brian Gutekunst will add an interior offensive lineman or two to fortify the offensive line.

A player that Gutekunst could target in the upcoming draft is Cooper Beebe. The Kansas State offensive lineman checks in at No. 58 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Beebe finished his career at Kansas State with 48 starts under his belt. He started 28 games at left guard, 13 at left tackle and seven at right tackle.

“Cooper Beebe meant everything to Kansas State in his five years,” Drew Galloway, the Kansas State reporter for On3.com, said. “He was someone that didn’t have a lot of hype as a high school recruit and was originally going to play defensive tackle until Chris Klieman and his staff were hired. As soon as he stepped on campus though he was someone mentioned in every press conference as a young player with a lot of promise. He ended up being a multiple-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year winner and a consensus all-American.”

Aside from center, Beebe took snaps at every position across the offensive line during his time as a Wildcat. With shorter arms he’s probably strictly a guard at the next level, however, his starting experience at both tackle positions, leads one to believe that he could kick outside in a pinch. That four-position versatility makes him an attractive target. 

“He may be one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the NFL Draft this year,” Galloway said. “He’s played every position besides center for Kansas State and has started at four of the five offensive line spots.”

Beebe gets after it as a run blocker. He’s a power-packed offensive lineman that overwhelms defenders at the point of contact. The versatile offensive lineman has good short-area quickness and locks in on his targets like a Predator when he’s out in space. He plays under the pads of defenders to drive them downfield and create movement in the run game. 

“His greatest strength is being a mauler,” Galloway said. “He’s a physical dude and a people mover. He’s everything you want in a guard and is so solid in every facet of the game. He’s great at pulling and gets out in space well at his size.”

The 48-game starter has active, physical hand and stays patient in pass protection. He has quick feet to beat pass rushers to the spot. Beebe has a strong core and can anchor down against bull rushers. Over the past three seasons, Beebe has given up two sacks and 28 pressures. 

“Beebe is also a really good pass blocker,” Galloway said. “He was trusted as a sophomore to play left tackle and start every game there. He has good feet and a really good base. He only allowed 1 sack in his first three seasons according to PFF.” 

Fit with the Packers

The Packers need to add right guard competition. If they were to draft Beebe on Day 2 of the draft, it would be a safe bet that he’d beat out Rhyan for the starting right guard spot. He’s a plug-and-play caliber player who could help take Green Bay’s offensive line from good to great. 

“I would draft Cooper Beebe because there aren’t many people who work harder than he does,” Galloway said. “He’s put on a lot of muscle even from the end of the season to now. He’s also a great leader and does a good job of leading by example. Beebe is also someone that I think is going to have a great NFL career and could play 8-10 years and be a multiple-time Pro Bowl kind of player.”

Beebe checks the boxes with his versatility, experience, football IQ and toughness. Even if he doesn’t earn a starting role as a rookie, he’d provide quality depth at guard and tackle. The more likely scenario is that the Kansas State product would take over at right guard and help improve Green Bay’s rushing attack.

Vols defeat Kansas State, extend win streak to 11 games

Tennessee baseball defeats Kansas State and extends win streak to 11 games.

No. 8 Tennessee (12-1) defeated Kansas State (7-4), 15-5, Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tuesday’s win is Tennessee’s 11th consecutive.

The Vols recorded 17 hits, including four doubles and six home runs, against Kansas State.

Dean Curley went 3-for-5, recording three home runs and nine RBIs. Blake Burke went 2-for-5, recording two doubles and one RBI.

Billy Amick, Christian Moore and Dylan Dreiling also hit home runs for the Vols.

Cannon Peebles and Hunter Ensley each hit doubles in the contest for Tennessee.

Nate Snead (3-0) pitched four innings of relief to earn a victory. He allowed two runs (one earned), four hits and three walks. Snead recorded one strikeout.

How to watch Tennessee-Kansas State baseball game

How to watch the Tennessee-Kansas State baseball game on Tuesday.

No. 8 Tennessee (11-1) will host Kansas State (7-3) on Tuesday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. Kansas State is receiving seven votes in the latest USA TODAY Sports Poll.

First pitch between the Vols and Wildcats is slated for 6 p.m. EST and can be watched on SEC Network+. Myan Patel will be on the call.

Tuesday’s contest will be the first between Tennessee and Kansas State.

Tennessee enters the matchup with a 10-game win streak, outscoring opponents, 117-30, while recording five run-rule victories.

Junior first baseman Blake Burke also enters the Kansas State game with 34 career home runs. He is six home runs away from tying Tennessee’s career record (Luc Lipcius, 40).

Blake Burke. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

How to watch, key players for No. 23 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball vs. Oklahoma State Cowgirls

The ranked women’s team are back in action also in Bedlam and this is how you can watch the game.

The Oklahoma Sooners were able to bounce back after a tough loss to West Virginia with a good win on the road at Cincinnati. Now, they are also playing their final Bedlam game as conference foes but this time in Norman.

The Sooners won the first meeting in Stillwater 81-74. The Cowgirls come into this game losing three of their last five games but they did get a good win at home over the [autotag]UCF Knights[/autotag] in their last game.

Oklahoma continues to have a hold on the conference as they have a one-game lead over Texas and [autotag]Kansas State.[/autotag] They currently lose the tie-breaker to Kansas State but win the tie-breaker over Texas who they will play again coming up.

But let’s take a look at how you can watch the game and some key players for both teams.

Dolphins attack offensive, defensive lines in new ESPN mock draft

ESPN’s Matt Miller predicts Dolphins build through the trenches in two-round mock draft.

The Miami Dolphins, like 29 other teams, have their eyes focused on the start of the new league year, which will begin with free agency and the 2024 NFL draft.

At this point, the Dolphins have a number of key players slated to hit the market in March, and some of their biggest potential losses could be along the offensive and defensive lines.

Chrisitan Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Da’Shawn Hand (three of Miami’s top four defensive tackles) are all set to hit free agency as Isaiah Wynn, Connor Williams and Robert Hunt (their three starting interior offensive linemen).

With that knowledge, it’s not surprising that ESPN’s Matt Miller predicts that the Dolphins will build through their trenches in his recent two-round mock draft. Miller has Miami selecting Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton with pick No. 21 and Kansas State guard Cooper Beebe with pick No. 55.

Here’s what Miller had to say about those selections:

“Star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins hits free agency this spring, and his replacement could be found at pick No. 21 if Miami doesn’t re-sign him. Newton is a first-step magician who can either slip between blockers or straight-up run over them. The 6-foot-2 295-pounder had 7.5 sacks during the regular season while playing multiple alignments on the Illinois front. Put him at 3-technique in Miami, with a healthy cast of defensive ends such as Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips around him, and Newton has the goods to make a Grady Jarrett-like impact.

Robert Hunt, Connor Williams and Robert Jones all hit free agency this offseason, making it a near-lock that the Dolphins will add a guard or center early in the draft. Beebe played left guard at an expert level for Kansas State, but there has been chatter about his potential at center. His movement ability in the run game just so happens to be a perfect fit for Mike McDaniel’s offense, too.”

It makes a lot of sense to draft young talent for those positions rather than pay top dollar for those on the free agent market, but there’s always a risk that comes with that. We’ve seen Hunt and Wilkins do their jobs before, and we’ve seen them do it well. Expecting a pair of rookies to come in and play like borderline Pro Bowlers right away is a lofty expectation to put on young, developing players.

Still, it would be nice to have some solid pieces locked in at those key pieces for years to come on affordable rookie contracts.

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 94, Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott, a potential Josiah Deguara replacement.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers invested a pair of Top 100 picks into the tight end position during the 2023 NFL Draft, when they selected Luke Musgrave in the second round and Tucker Kraft in the third round.

That rookie duo combined for 65 receptions for 707 yards and three touchdowns during the regular season. A number that likely would have been higher if Musgrave had been healthy all season.

With those two in place, they have a pair of dynamic options at tight end for Jordan Love to target. That doesn’t mean that Brian Gutekunst won’t add another piece to that room this offseason.

Josiah Deguara is set to be a free agent and while fellow rookie Ben Sims is capable of taking on more of a role, it would not be surprising to see Gutekunst target a tight end on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

A tight end that could replace Deguara in Matt LaFleur’s offense is Ben Sinnott. The Kansas State tight end checks in at No. 94 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

Sinnott played football, hockey, track, tennis and baseball at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo, Iowa enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022 for Kansas State. 

After playing in just 12 games during his first two seasons in Manhattan, Sinnott recorded 31 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdowns. Sinnott built off his breakout season this fall by recording 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. 

“Sinnott meant a lot for K-State this season,” Drew Galloway, the Kansas State reporter for On3.com, said. “He was the one real reliable and consistent pass catcher and was a matchup nightmare in the Big 12. He is probably the best tight end in the history of the school and is a cool story. He walked onto K-State and is a rare walk-on who is leaving school early to go to the NFL.”

The first thing that stands out about Sinnott is how much Kansas State moved him around the past two seasons. They lined him up inline, in the slot, out wide and in the backfield. According to Pro Football Focus, Sinnott logged 188 snaps in the backfield, 1,031 snaps inline, 332 snaps in the slot and 33 snaps out wide. 

“His greatest strength is his versatility,” Galloway said. “K-State lined him up all over the field this season. He can play full-back, tight end, H-back, in the slot and was split out wide a few times. He can do a little bit of everything.”

Sinnott charges hard as a blocker. He’s a physical blocker who shows an appetite for the physical side of the game. He’s able to seal running leans to help create chunk plays on the ground. At times he can look like a battering ram and he keeps his legs charging at contact.

An area where he can improve is playing under control. There are times when he looks too eager and will overextend or whiff on blocks.

“He’s a good run blocker and is a trait he’s getting better at,” Galloway said. “He wants to be a better blocker, but he’s had some struggles in that area. He’s had really good flashes blocking too, though. Against Texas Tech he set up a touchdown by pancaking two different players.”

As a pass catcher, Sinnott has natural hands and plucks the ball away from his frame. He’s quick off the line of scrimmage and has the speed to threaten safeties.  As a route runner, he needs to do a better job of snapping off his routes to create separation.

Kansas State did a great job of getting him touches on tight-end screens to get him the ball in space. With his quickness and toughness, he racked up 326 yards after the catch. 

“He brings a matchup nightmare as a pass catcher,” Galloway said. “He’s too fast for linebackers and is too big for corners or safeties. He also brings physicality as a receiver. He catches the ball and is looking for contact and is excellent in YAC situations.”

Fit with the Packers

Musgrave and Kraft give the Packers a dynamic duo at tight end that figures to cause plenty of headaches for opposing defenses for years to come through the air.

Now, let’s add a player like Sinnott to that mix, who will give teams headaches with how much he moves around and the physicality that he plays with.  

“I would draft Sinnott because of his versatility,” Galloway said. “He has a little bit of Kyle Juszczyk and George Kittle in his game. He’s the modern-day tight end who can also play H-Back and is a good fit in every offense. His best football is in front of him too. He was a big-time hockey player in high school until electing to switch to football in college.”

It be kind of shocking to see the Packers draft a tight end after spending two Top 100 picks on the position last season. Add in how well those two played during their rookie seasons and it is reasonable to expect them to add an undrafted free agent to the room, rather than spending another pick on the position. 

However, why not finish off that room with another young piece that would be the perfect complement to the dynamic duo? That’s where Sinnott enters the chat. 

While Kraft and Musgrave are more than capable of doing the dirty work (Kraft almost seems to enjoy that more than catching passes), Sinnott could step in and be the punishing blocker that the Packers envisioned Deguara developing into. On top of his run-blocking chops, Sinnott has proven to be an asset in the passing game, hauling in 80 receptions over the past two seasons. Adding a player like Sinnott may not be a necessity, but he could be viewed as the final infinity stone for this young offense. 

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Kansas State 2001 Cotton Bowl in snow and ice

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Kansas State 2001 Cotton Bowl in snow and ice

Tennessee finished the 2000 season 8-4 (5-3 SEC).

The Vols lost to Kansas State (11-3), 35-21, in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 2001. Temperature at kickoff was 29 degrees Fahrenheit in Dallas, Texas. The contest was played in snow and ice.

Tennessee freshman quarterback Casey Clausen completed 7-of-25 passing attempts for 120 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He was sacked two times.

Running back Travis Henry recorded 180 rushing yards and one touchdown on 17 attempts for the Vols.

Kansas State quarterback Jon Beasley totaled 210 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, 98 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.

Below are photos of the Tennessee-Kansas State game at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day in inclement conditions.

How to watch, key players for No. 22 Oklahoma Men’s Basketball vs. Providence

The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball team is back in action and here is everything you need to know heading into the game.

The Oklahoma Sooners, led by [autotag]Porter Moser[/autotag], are off to a hot start to begin the 2023-2024 campaign. They are 7-0 and are in the top 25 for the first time under Moser.

They’ve had just one win by less than double digits. That was in the championship of the Rady Children’s Invitational when they knocked off the No. 23 USC Trojans team at the buzzer. But the Sooners are back in action Tuesday night with a tough matchup against the 7-1 [autotag]Providence Friars[/autotag] in the Big East-Big 12 battle.

The Friars’ only loss is an overtime defeat to [autotag]Kansas State[/autotag] in the Baha Mar Hoops – Bahamas Championship. They are just outside the top 25. Let’s take a look at how you can watch the game and some key players for both teams to know before tip-off.

Cold first quarter dooms Tar Heels in Gulf Coast Showcase vs. KSU

In the Gulf Coast Showcase, UNC’s women’s basketball team watched a first quarter doom it against a strong, tall Kansas State opponent.

In the UNC women’s basketball team’s first five games of 2023, it had little trouble beating opponents.

The Tar Heels won all five games, with their closest victory being a 54-51 clash against Vermont on Friday, Nov. 24 in the Gulf Coast Classic.

Saturday wasn’t as easy.

In its second game of the Gulf Coast Showcase, 18-ranked Carolina watched an 8-point first quarter doom itself in a 63-56 loss to 16-ranked Kansas State.

The Tar Heels outscored the Wildcats, 48-47, in the final three quarters.

The first thing that stands out, to me, is the rebounding margin. Kansas State out-rebounded UNC by a 46-25 mark, with 6’6″ center Ayoka Lee grab 12 as part of a double-double.

Alyssa Ustby, Carolina’s star guard/forward, grabbed nine rebounds. No other Tar Heel grabbed more than two, while five Wildcats pulled down at least five.

UNC also shot a torrid 10 percent (2-of-20) from downtown. Kansas State didn’t fare much better, with a 5-for-17 mark, but those extra three perimeter makes proved to be the difference.

One area the Tar Heels did perform extremely well in was steals, swiping the ball 13 times to the Wildcats’ two. Carolina star Deja Kelly, who stole the basketball a team-high five times, also anchored her team’s scoring attack with 14 points.

Kelly and Kayla McPherson (11 points) were the only two Tar Heels in double-figures, while Serena Sundell (16), Gisela Sanchez (15) and Lee (14) all reached the 10-point mark.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier for UNC. After its tournament finale on Sunday, Nov. 26, it hosts top-ranked South Carolina on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Report: Saints sign former 49ers DE Jordan Willis to their practice squad

NOF reports the Saints are signing former 49ers defensive end Jordan Willis to their practice squad after an injury sidelined Isaiah Foskey:

This is interesting: the New Orleans Saints are signing defensive end Jordan Willis to their practice squad, as first reported by NewOrleans.Football’s Brooke Kirchhofer. This pickup comes after news that Saints rookie pass rusher Isaiah Foskey could miss a few weeks recovering from a strained quadriceps muscle.

Originally picked three slots ahead of Alex Anzalone in the 2017 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Willis went on appear in 26 games with the San Francisco 49ers where he bagged 7.5 of his 10.5 career sacks. He’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, falling right in line with the prototype the Saints value at defensive end.

Will he see many snaps in Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings? That’s unlikely. The Saints have given the lion’s share of reps to Cameron Jordan (487) and Carl Granderson (459) through the first nine games, with Tanoh Kpassagnon (196) backing them up and Foskey (69) only getting into games in a reserve role. Veteran backup Kyle Phillips has been a healthy scratch after being promoted from the practice squad after an injury sidelined Payton Turner in the season opener. A corresponding move to Willis signing has not been announced, but the Saints also have preseason standout Niko Lalos on their practice squad.

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