Why Kansas State star Cooper Beebe never considered ‘opting out’ of Pop-Tarts Bowl
Put yourself in Cooper Beebe’s shoes for a moment.
You’re a senior left guard for the Kansas State football team who recently became the first offensive lineman in school history to earn consensus All-America honors. In a few months, you are projected to be an early selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. A lucrative career in professional football awaits.
But first your college team is set to play North Carolina State at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. If you were Beebe, would you “opt out” of the game and cheer on your teammates from home while you get a head start on your pro future? Or do you tell the NFL to wait and wear purple one last time?
Here’s guessing most of you would need some time to consider your options. Not Beebe.
Did he, even for one second, think about skipping this bowl game?
“Oh, absolutely not,” Beebe said. “For me being a captain and being a leader, especially with us being down a lot of players and this being my last game, I felt like if I’m going to start something I’m going to finish it. As a leader, I’m going to send this team off right and I’m going to play in the bowl game.”
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Beebe is remaining loyal to K-State until the bitter end. The 6-foot-4 and 335-pound offensive lineman could have been selected in the NFL Draft last spring, but he opted to remain in school with hopes of becoming the first blocker in school history to make the Ring of Honor inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
He already delayed the start of his pro career by one season. In his mind, it can wait one more game.
Besides, it wouldn’t feel right for the most decorated offensive lineman in K-State history to miss out on the team’s first bowl trip to Florida.
“I’ve just been truly blessed to be here around great people, great coaches and great players,” Beebe said. “They have pushed me to strive to be who I am today.”
K-State coach Chris Klieman is thankful that Beebe and the rest of his senior teammates on the offensive line have decided to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
“He’s watched film, he’s worked at his technique and to be a consensus All-American that gives him a chance to go on the Ring of Honor the next time we have a group that goes in,” Klieman said. “It’s one of the reasons he came back and he’s earned every one of those accolades that he’s received.”
The roster would have been seriously weakened without him — and the other O-linemen.
The Wildcats have already lost more than a dozen scholarship players to the transfer portal, including starting quarterback Will Howard, hard-hitting safety Kobe Savage and defensive end Nate Matlack. Ben Sinnott, an All-Big 12 tight end, and Phillip Brooks, the team’s leading receiver, have also decided to “opt out” of this game as they turn their focus to the NFL.
K-State will need Beebe to help the lead the offense with freshman Avery Johnson making his first start at quarterback.
He is looking forward to the challenge.
Many players in Beebe’s shoes would have chosen to skip the Pop-Tarts Bowl. But that simply wasn’t an option for him.
This story was originally published December 19, 2023 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Why Kansas State star Cooper Beebe never considered ‘opting out’ of Pop-Tarts Bowl."