Two years ago, HERO Sports highlighted how Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp was about to be the third generation of his family to play professional football.
Now there could be another one from the Kupp family.
Ketner, Cooper's younger brother, is the 37th ranked inside linebacker prospect by NFLDraftScout. In last year's draft, 43 total linebackers were selected. Kupp, who started at EWU for 2.5 years, hopes his tape and Pro Day numbers get him to a Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent deal.
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Kupp is training in Irvine, California, and has signed with Rep1 Sports, an agency that also represents Cooper and former FCS stars like NDSU quarterback Carson Wentz and SDSU tight end Dallas Goedert. Recent Bison quarterback Easton Stick, who Kupp faced in the FCS title game on Jan. 5, is also training in Irvine with the agency.
“The biggest thing is speed," Kupp told HERO Sports. "That’s what a lot of people focus on is running a good 40 (yard dash). I think we all realize that once this training is over, you move on and just play football. But we understand the importance of running a good time and getting as fast and as fluid as we can be throughout this process.”
Testing well at EWU's Pro Day on April 4 is going to be key for Kupp. But his film also sticks out to scouts. His play was a big part in the Eagles defense getting stronger, which led them to their first national championship appearance since 2010. Kupp led the team with 115 total tackles in 2018 and earned All-Big Sky Conference Second Team honors.
“I personally always believed (I could play professional football) and I thought this is what I was meant to do," Kupp, who is 6-foot and 225 pounds, said. "Honestly, I never really cared whether someone believed in me or didn’t believe in me. It’s always nice to have support, but ultimately it’s something you have to believe yourself. Going into my senior year, I talked to my coaches about what my future could be like and they voiced their opinion and backed me. But it’s something I always believed I can do.”
While Kupp has the NFL bloodline, he gives a lot of credit to the culture, resources and support at EWU for putting him in a position to play professional football. The program has continuously sent players to the pros, whether it's the CFL or the NFL. At the start of the 2018 NFL and CFL seasons, five former Eagles were on NFL rosters and nine more were on CFL rosters.
Five EWU players have been picked in the NFL Draft since 2011. Cooper is the highest selection of that group, getting his name called in the third round.
Having his brother as a source of information and advice is valuable for Ketner.
“He was in the same exact place two years ago and so I ask him what he all did," Kupp said. "The big thing is we’re being told to make sure we don't overwork ourselves. So I bounce ideas off of Cooper on what he would do to get extra work in or how he would recover. We have options of what kind of drills we want to do so I’ll ask Cooper what kind of drills helped him the most. It’s been really good to have a primary source that I can ask that’s been exactly where I’m at.”
Football is a huge part of the Kupp family. Ketner said he feels blessed to be a part of it and have those older influences in his life to guide him to a career playing football.
“You want to do well for those people that have supported you. My family has backed me and they want what’s best for me. I want to go out there and make them proud. Ultimately, if you're a competitor, you want to be the best you can be. My motivation is being the best me that I can be and seeing exactly what I can get out of myself.”
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