NFF National Scholar-Athletes
OL – Kansas State University
3.84 GPA – Social Studies Education
Head Coach: Chris Klieman | Athletics Director: Gene Taylor
Faculty Athletics Representative: Shawna Jordan
Recipient of National Football League Scholar-Athlete Award
A massive offensive lineman at 6-foot-4 and 335-pounds, with perfect technique, agile feet and nicknamed the “Dancing Bear,” Cooper Beebe has flawlessly protected the blindside for the Wildcats during his time in Manhattan, earning All-America honors and notching a 3.84 GPA. The Kansas City, Kansas, native now becomes K-State’s ninth NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Adrian Martinez last year and marking the third time the Wildcats have had back-to-back honorees.
A 2022 CSC Academic All-District Team selection and a three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 pick, Beebe graduated in May with a degree in social studies education. A likely NFL Draft pick last year, Beebe decided to return to play with his younger brother Camden, a freshman on the K-State offensive line, and pursue his master’s degree with aspirations of being a teacher in the future.
A two-year captain, Beebe ranks among the top offensive lineman in the nation, having earned First Team All-America laurels last year from the Sporting News and Second Team from the Associated Press. Beebe was also named the 2022 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year, and he has twice earned First All-Big 12 honors.
Having not allowed a sack since 2020, Beebe led an offensive unit last year that averaged 208.3 rushing yards per game in 2022, ranking 15th nationally. The 2022 Wildcat offense amassed 5,863 yards of total offense, the second most in school history, and the team finished the season as Big 12 Champions after beating No. 3 TCU in the Big 12 title game.
In 2023, the team is averaging 232.7 rushing yards per game at No. 3 nationally and 474.7 yards of total offense per game or No. 13 nationally. Having played every spot on the offensive line, except center, Beebe has proven himself versatile and dependable with 42 starts during his career, he should rank among the top five Wildcat offensive linemen (since 1990) in career starts by the end of the season.
Off the field, Beebe taught high school social studies last spring. His extensive volunteer work includes the Special Olympics, Big Brothers Big Sisters Field Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Earth Day events, the Hope Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center, Cats in the Classroom, and the Be the Match (bone marrow) Registry. He is a three-year member of the football team’s Leadership Council.
(All Stats of Oct. 25, 2023)
