Kansas State football All-American Cooper Beebe not picky about where Cowboys use him

MANHATTAN — No one who observed Cooper Beebe during his Kansas State football career would accuse him of being a one-trick pony.

A more fitting adjective for the Wildcats’ All-America offensive lineman would be jack-of-all-trades. Not only was he versatile, but versatile at an elite level.

No doubt that was one trait that attracted the Dallas Cowboys to the 6-foot-3, 322-pound Beebe when they snagged him in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday with the No. 73 overall pick. During his five years in Manhattan — 2019 as a redshirt and the next four as a starter — he played every position on the line except center.

“I’m coming in to do whatever the team needs to win,” Beebe said in an online interview on the Cowboys’ website. “If they need me to play center, then that’s something I’m going to do. Whatever I need to do for the Cowboys to win, I’m going to do it.”

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Yes, Beebe could very well wind up at center, the one place he didn’t play in college.

Most draft experts had Beebe pegged as a guard in the NFL, mainly because of his build. Still, he was a first team Big 12 all-conference selection at left tackle as a sophomore at K-State before claiming offensive lineman of the year honors at left guard in 2022 and ’23.

The problem is, the Cowboys a pair of established starters at guard in 2022 first-round draft pick Tyler Smith on the left side and 11-year pro Zack Martin on the right. He could be groomed to take Martin’s place, but in the short term, center might be the best option.

Beebe was not sure yet what the Cowboys’ plans are for him.

“I think it’s just different,” he said. “Somewhere in the interior is kind of the feel I got. Whatever I need to do and whatever they need me to do, I’m going to do it.

“If that involves playing center, I’m going to do it. If that involves filling in at guard somewhere, that’s what I’m going to do.”

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Beebe is looking forward to spending time with Martin, a perennial All-Pro.

“That’s one of the best ever to do it, and just to be able to learn from him is going to be so huge,” Beebe said. “Just what it takes to be successful. I’m going to make sure I shadow him and get my routine and learn as much as I can.

“I’ll kind of attach to him and hopefully I can have the career he has.”

Martin already has served as a role model of sorts for Beebe, who while affable off the field plays with a mean streak.

“I honestly think nasty is how I kind of describe myself,” Beebe said. “Throughout the years, I’ve watched Zack Martin and I’ve incorporated a lot of his stuff into my game.

“I think it’s just my mindset of trying to dirt dudes. I go out there and I’m just trying to put people in the dirt, and that’s what I like to play with. I like to try to make dudes quit, and that’s kind of where that mentality comes from.”

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Regardless, Beebe was thrilled to learn he was going to the Cowboys. The wait was a little longer than he had anticipated, with most mock drafts slotting him late for mid-to-late second round.

“When I got that call from (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones, man that’s just a life-changing event and I’m so excited I can’t even put into words,” Beebe said.

Beebe also see a familiar face in the locker room when he joins the Cowboys, reuniting with former K-State All-America running back Deuce Vaughn.

“Me and Deuce are best buddies,” Beebe said. “It’s funny. When I was down in Frisco training, I actually talked to Deuce and he talked about having a K-State reunion in Dallas, and then here we are.”

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.