Quinton Cooley, RB, Liberty
Size:
Height: 5’7” | Weight: 210 lbs
Accomplishments:
First-Team All-C-USA (2023)
“Quinton Cooley is a tough-minded running back with good vision who will fight for every extra yard he can.”
Strengths:
Decision-making
Pressing gaps
Low center of gravity
Effort
Concerns:
Athleticism
Speed
Lateral quickness
Explosiveness
Film Analysis:
Quinton Cooley transferred to Liberty after his redshirt sophomore season at Wake Forest and was immediately one of the most productive running backs in the entire C-USA. He led all C-USA running backs in rushing yards (1,401) and touchdowns (16). Although he didn’t produce much as a receiver, he still led the conference in all-purpose yards per game (103.1). Cooley used his grinder mentality to salt away games for Liberty and made a living in the fourth quarter.
Cooley is a small, compact runner with a low center of gravity that helps him churn out extra yards. He is difficult for tacklers to bring down. He is very self-aware about his game. He knows to be patient, use his vision to find the right lane, press gaps to move linebackers, and follow his blocks. He has a thick lower half combined with a high-effort play style to break tackles and fall forward. That effort also shows up as a blocker, routinely finding ways to get the job done, even if his frame makes it difficult.
While he makes lateral cuts after pressing gaps, they’re not as fluid or quick as they need to be to make defenders miss, and he has to break arm tackles occasionally because of this. That lack of athleticism shows up in every aspect of his game, but he makes up for it with power and effort. His burst to get through holes and top-end speed are lacking and will limit his ability to generate explosives at the next level.
Overall, Cooley is a fun, powerful running back whose motor is commendable and helped him be so productive at Liberty. Still, his lack of athletic ability, explosiveness, and size seriously cap his upside as a running back.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Written By: Daniel Harms
