UT’s Cosmi: Big man with a big future
Massive offensive tackle has real chance to be first-round NFL draft pick
Shoving a heavy sled across the artificial turf as if it were an overmatched 250-pound defensive player, University of Texas left offensive tackle Sam Cosmi maintains a low center of gravity and a serious look on his face.
Whether it’s leaping onto a box to build explosiveness during a full-body workout with veteran trainer and former NFL running back Derrick Blaylock at Armed
Sports Performance or lifting weights, Cosmi is all-in all the time.
The son of Romanian immigrants, the towering Cosmi is a former Atascosita standout who plays the game with a nasty streak. Controlled aggression and a determined approach define the game of a gifted blocking anchor widely regarded as a future NFL first-round draft pick.
At 6-7, 310 pounds, Cosmi combines size, strength, mobility, intelligence and a strong knowledge of the game imparted by Longhorns offensive line coach Herb Hand and Atasocista offensive line coach Todd Moses.
Whether it was Cosmi stonewalling Jacksonville Jaguars firstround pass rusher and former LSU standout K’Lavon Chaisson when he was at North Shore or bulldozing into the end zone on a touchdown pass from quarterback Sam Ehlinger last season against West Virginia, the Humble native plays football with an edge.
“I’ve always had the mentality when it comes to someone across from me, you might be more talented or gifted or whatever, but I just go back to my fundamentals and technique; I just know I’m not going to be pushed around,” Cosmi said. “I’m going to push other guys around. I don’t like being tossed around, so I’m not going to let that happen. He might get me one play, but the next five, six plays, it’s going to be a dogfight.”
That’s how it has been for Cosmi ever since he began playing football after initially playing soccer as a kid. The son of Rodica and Comel Cosmi has made toughness his calling card from the time he was learning the game in his formative years.
That was taught by his parents, along with a strong faith.
“I think one of the biggest things my family instilled in me is working hard for everything and just having my faith in God,” Cosmi said. “One thing I have going toward the future: I’m very at peace with knowing that God has a path for me in everywhere I go. One other thing my parents taught me is never be a quitter. Everything I do, do as hard as you can and don’t quit.”
Growing up, Cosmi played everywhere from fullback and running back to defensive line, safety and linebacker. By his sophomore year, he had outgrown all skill positions to become a full-time offensive lineman, and he’d go on to be a two-time all-district selection.
“I played pretty much everything growing up,” Cosmi said. “As I got bigger, that’s when I was grounded to be an offensive lineman. Those days were really fun. Growing up as a kid, I think coming into high school having a strict spot and developing my craft, that really helped out going into college as well.”
A redshirt junior this season, Cosmi briefly explored entering
the NFL draft. Named secondteam All-Big 12 last season as a sophomore after switching to left tackle and starting every game, Cosmi, like Ehlinger, submitted his name to the NFL College Advisory committee.
But Cosmi already knew he was coming back to school. The former freshman All-American feels like he has unfinished business in Austin.
“I just threw my name out there. I knew I was coming back,” Cosmi said. “I just wanted to see where I was. I know as a player I had a lot to learn with coach Hand. He’s taught me so much, and I still have a lot to learn from him.
“Going back with my boys, playing another year with them and seeing where we’re at and the potential we have, I’m really excited about that.”
Cosmi is highly respected by NFL scouts and general managers. Said one GM of Cosmi: “That guy is a stud. He has everything that you’re looking for.”
Cosmi graded out highly last season after shifting from right tackle to left tackle as the replacement for Calvin Anderson.
“Cosmi is a phenomenal athlete,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He has great feet and can also bowl over edge defenders in the run game. If he puts all of his talent together, he could be a top-10 pick.”
Cosmi has two more years of college eligibility but could declare for the NFL after next season depending on how everything goes this fall.
Cosmi studies several top NFL offensive linemen, including the Philadelphia Eagles’ Lane Johnson and the Dallas Cowboys’ Tyron Smith, along with former Cleveland Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas.
“There’s a lot of offensive linemen I look toward and try to imitate,” Cosmi said. “I see certain moves, especially when I’m watching NFL tape. There’s a lot of cool things I see that I say, ‘I can better my game.’ I’m enjoying watching these older guys and
NFL pros.”
The Longhorns finished last season ranked 14th nationally in total offense (465.8 yards per game) and 17th in scoring offense (35.2 points per game). Cosmi is one of three returning starters across the offensive line, joining Derek Kerstetter and Junior Angilau.
Although the Longhorns didn’t get to have spring football due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cosmi is upbeat about their prospects heading into the season.
“I think when it comes to having that strong leadership, especially the offense, it’s been really good,” Cosmi said. “We’ve been on the same page when it comes to a lot of things. We’re going to be like one big, well-oiled machine going into this season.”
Cosmi originally committed to the University of Houston when Tom Herman was coaching the Cougars. When Herman was hired by Texas, Cosmi followed him to Austin. It’s a decision he’s glad about.
“Coach Herman wants what’s best for the players. He’s always been a players-first program,” Cosmi said. “I respect him a lot for that. Coach Herman is one of the most intelligent guys when it comes to football. When you talk to him and pick apart his brain, I knew he was going to be a great coach. Coming into college, I put so much faith in going to UT and coach Herman.”
Training under the direction of Longhorns strength and conditioning coach Yancy McKnight and supplementing his workouts with Blaylock and former high school teammate Kenyon Green, a Texas A&M starting offensive lineman and All-Southeastern Conference freshman selection, Cosmi is constantly striving to improve. That includes flipping a 750-pound tire in his family’s backyard and eating five to six times a day to keep his nutrition on point.
Cosmi wants to weigh a solid 315 to 320 pounds after entering college somewhat undersized at roughly 260 pounds.
“I’ve just been focusing a lot on different aspects of training, the workouts Yancy has been giving me, and trying to build a little extra on that with Derrick,” Cosmi said. “That’s been really good. My core strength, I feel like that’s really good for an offensive lineman to have. And working on my mobility as well. The strength part comes with lifting weights. Flexibility, just being able to be flexible enough to put your body through certain things.”
Blaylock played for the Kansas City Chiefs with running back Priest Holmes and ran behind a formidable offensive line that included Willie Roaf, Will Shields and Brian Waters. Cosmi fits that kind of mold as far as potential.
“He’s very athletic, fast, strong, explosive, and just pushes people around on the field,” Blaylock said. “By him being smart, that’s going to take him a long way. You have a lot of guys with the athletic ability, but are they smart? Just talking to him, he’s smart. He studies. He’s just an all-around great player, great athlete.”
“The way he’s built — tall, slender but heavy — he’s strong. He has the perfect size, the perfect build and mindset and attitude. He will definitely be a great NFL player.”
An honorable-mention Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year selection, Cosmi has started 26 of 27 career games in college. He developed into a second-team all-state selection with what he was taught by Moses and his other high school coaches.
“I really enjoyed my high school days. I built some really good connections with guys I still have to this day,” Cosmi said. “Coach Moses, I still talk to him all the time, go to his house and hang out with him. He always knew how to get under my skin to where I could flip that switch on game day. I really appreciate everything I took away from high school and the people that helped me get here. I couldn’t have done it by myself.”