Press Box Podcast: Cooper Kupp reflects on his first year in the NFL, Draft experience
This time last year, Cooper Kupp was feeling a bit restless.
Hard to blame him. The record-shattering wide receiver from Eastern Washington University had just wrapped up four months of intensive training and was anxiously awaiting the moment he’d dreamed about since he was little – hearing his name called in the NFL Draft.
That moment came on the second day of the draft, when the Los Angeles Rams nabbed Kupp with the 18th pick of the third round. He didn’t disappoint, turning in a solid rookie season that saw him catch 62 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns.
On Thursday, Kupp chatted with Larry Weir, host of the Press Box Podcast, and touched on a variety of topics (you can listen to the entire interview below or here). Among them:
On the start of the NFL draft process following his last game at EWU:
Kupp on start of his draft process
The Spokesman-Review
“That game (the 40-38 semifinal loss to Youngstown State) was (Dec. 17th), and I was actually set up and going down to Irvine to start training on the 26th … It was pretty quick for us. Once you get down there, it’s all encompassing. Everything you’re doing is working toward that goal of draft day. Through all that you still have your combine, bowl games, all the things that go along with that. It’s a long process of evaluation after evaluation, pro day, and it all kind of culminates with draft day.”
On how nerve wracking it was watching the NFL Draft on television a year ago:
Kupp on nerves while watching the draft last year
The Spokesman-Review
“I originally said I wasn’t even going to even watch the draft, that I was just going to have my phone on me and be able to just relax and not be a part of it. But as soon as the draft comes on, I’m one of the most curious people in the world, and there was no way I couldn’t be there, watching it. So the nerves keep going, even just watching the draft, your heart starts beating, all that stuff … even when you’re not part of it.”
On all the work that goes into the offseason, and playing in the NFL:
Kupp on hard work
The Spokesman-Review
“If you aren’t able to enjoy the process … in this game, in this profession, I just don’t think you can be a very happy person. So much of your life is spent at the process. We’re still months out from playing meaningful games, but very meaningful work is going in day-by-day right now by everyone in the NFL. If you aren’t able to enjoy that process, and the preparation and planning that all goes into what culminates on Sundays, this isn’t something that’s for you. I absolutely love it.”
Kupp on waiting for call on draft day
The Spokesman-Review
Kupp on his performance last season
The Spokesman-Review