Yesterday was the last practice of the Senior Bowl before the big game. After practice, a select few players stayed around postgame for an interview and one was Ohio State DL Jonathon Cooper.

What do you think of coach Flores’ message at the end of the practice about availability? (Other reporter)

It’s true. You’re only as good as your durability & availability and not your ability. You can be the greatest player ever but if you can’t get on the field and can help your team win then you are worth nothing so you are only as good as your availability.

Just recently, your former coach at Ohio State Urban Meyer has accepted the job at the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. How thrilled would you be if you were drafted by your old coach? (Kris Thomas ITH)

I would love to play for Urban Meyer again. He’s an amazing coach. Me and him(Meyer) have a great relationship. I think he’s going to be very successful in the NFL. I don’t why he wouldn’t be and if he chose to take me I think it would be amazing.

The staff here is heavily defensive staff with Brian Flores. Do you notice how he approaches practice? (Other reporter)

Yeah, definitely. He holds the defense to a certain standard and we have to hold to that and even though we came right out of college, we hold ourselves to the Dolphins standard and I would to say the defense did a pretty good job of it last week.

You were at Ohio State for 5 years. You had a veteran presence in the locker room. Once you get into a pro locker room are you still coming in with that air of confidence and leadership in or are you going to have a rookie mindset? (Juan ITH)

I would say I’m going to be the same person that I’m in and that’s a leader and the person that I am the goals aren’t listed. Definitely going to look at the veterans, the captains of the team and see how much I can learn. I’m not naive into knowing that I’m going to be young and a rookie coming in. I just want to learn as much as I can but that doesn’t mean I’m going to change who I am.

Over the years you played alongside great pass rushers the Bosa brothers Joey and Nick and last year with Chase Young, with all them gone and you were left how did you assume the leader position on the defensive line? (Kris Thomas ITH)

Well...I didn’t get to play with Joey unfortunately, I played with Nick and Chase. Once again those are two amazing football players. I feel like my approach this year being the player that I am, the leader of the defensive line, I showed it in my play. Even with the Covid and not having as many games as we did, I feel like I showed what I can do. I know that Ohio State is used to having Bosa and Chase and I was making sure to just be myself.

Unfortunately, your season ended with you losing to Alabama in the National Championship however you got the proverbial tiger off your back by beating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. What was the feeling like? (Kris Thomas ITH)

We definitely had a chip on our shoulder facing Clemson after what happened last year, but I feel like we should have played Alabama a better game. feel like that’s going to lean to Ohio State having a chip on its shoulder for Alabama. We’ll see what happens next year.

What are your parting words as you leave Ohio State? (Kris Thomas)

Thank you and go Bucks. They’re going to kill it. Ohio State will be Ohio State with or without me. And I’m happy that I got a chance to be a part of it.

-By: Kris Thomas

2021 Senior Bowl Media: Ohio State DL Jonathon Cooper Post Practice Interview