University of Tennessee Athletics
Cooper Mays Tabbed Outland Trophy Player of the Week
November 12, 2024 | Football
DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday that Tennessee senior offensive lineman Cooper Mays was selected as the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week for his performance in the Nov. 9 win over Mississippi State.
Mays played in all 78 offensive snaps as Tennessee rolled up 452 total yards, including 240 on the ground, in the Vols' 33-14 win over the Bulldogs – notching their fourth consecutive SEC victory to close out a four-game home stand. Mays did not allow a sack, a pressure or a penalty in the contest, marking the 23rd-straight game that he did not allow a sack. The Kingston, Tennessee, native also played a crucial role in the second half for backup quarterback Gaston Moore after starter Nico Iamaleava left the game at halftime due to injury.
"I enjoy it, I think that's kind of our M-O and mantra," Mays said of the offensive line's physicality after the win over Mississippi State. "It's what we want to be about, being physical up front and able to move the ball even when the odds aren't really in our favor. I thought we did a good job with it. I thought it was a physical game, got yards when we needed to and just did what we needed to do."
For the season, Mays has played 615 snaps and allowed only one penalty and zero sacks or hits for the SEC's leading rushing offense. His 99.1 pass blocking efficiency rating in 2024 according to PFF ranks first in the SEC and eighth in the FBS among centers (min. 300 pass blocking snaps).
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
Mays played in all 78 offensive snaps as Tennessee rolled up 452 total yards, including 240 on the ground, in the Vols' 33-14 win over the Bulldogs – notching their fourth consecutive SEC victory to close out a four-game home stand. Mays did not allow a sack, a pressure or a penalty in the contest, marking the 23rd-straight game that he did not allow a sack. The Kingston, Tennessee, native also played a crucial role in the second half for backup quarterback Gaston Moore after starter Nico Iamaleava left the game at halftime due to injury.
"I enjoy it, I think that's kind of our M-O and mantra," Mays said of the offensive line's physicality after the win over Mississippi State. "It's what we want to be about, being physical up front and able to move the ball even when the odds aren't really in our favor. I thought we did a good job with it. I thought it was a physical game, got yards when we needed to and just did what we needed to do."
For the season, Mays has played 615 snaps and allowed only one penalty and zero sacks or hits for the SEC's leading rushing offense. His 99.1 pass blocking efficiency rating in 2024 according to PFF ranks first in the SEC and eighth in the FBS among centers (min. 300 pass blocking snaps).
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
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