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Sam Cosmi spoke to reporters after being selected by the Washington Football Team with the 51st overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He said he’s ready to get to work, and it’s amazing to get drafted. He is going to give it his all 100% of the time. Cosmi describes himself as a mauler, and said if you beat him once, it won’t happen again. He is the most athletic OT in the draft, and it helps him play with more aggression and speed. Cosmi knows he has areas that can be improved, and he is excited to work with OL Coach John Matsko. He is comfortable playing both RT and LT, and he played both at Texas.
Ready to get to work:
New OT Sam Cosmi: "I can't put it into many words besides 'amazing.' ... I am super stoked to get to work."
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) May 1, 2021
Sam Cosmi is addressing the media right now. It's an unbelievable feeling, he said, and he is super stoked to get to work. The football team is getting a dedicated guy who is going to give all of his time to the game.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
Samuel Cosmi on what @WashingtonNFL is getting with him:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 1, 2021
"Very dedicated guy, guy that loves the game...and one of the most hard working guys on and off the field."
Getting drafted by the Washington Football Team:
Sam Cosmi says "my heart's still pumping right now and I'm super excited to be with the Washington Football Team."
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 1, 2021
Pre-draft calls:
Sam Cosmi said he three calls with Washington, including with Ron Rivera and OL coach John Matsko, leading up to the draft.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 1, 2021
Washington had position coaches lead Zoom calls with prospects, Cosmi says he spoke most with Washington during pre-draft process
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) May 1, 2021
Samuel Cosmi said he had a 1-on-1 Zoom with Ron Rivera, which he described as "awesome" and "a great conversation." That was his only 1-on-1 meeting with a head coach.
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 1, 2021
They talked about football and life. and Cosmi was honored Rivera took the time to do that.
Opting out of final two games:
Sam Cosmi said he opted out with two games left to focus on the draft. He said he got rolled up on in a couple of games, so he was trying to preserve his body. "I had no drawbacks from anybody. They said it was the best thing for me," Cosmi said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 1, 2021
Sam Cosmi said he opted out of the last two games with Texas to focus on the draft and avoid risk of injury. "It was chasing a dream to go to the NFL." Said he talked to family and coaches and "had no drawbacks from anyone" about his decision to opt out.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 1, 2021
Versatility:
Cosmi played left and right tackle at tackle. He said he feels comfortable at both, so he really doesn't have a preference. More position flexibility on the O-Line.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
Sam Cosmi said he has no preference of RT or LT. Played both at Texas — RT in 2018, LT in 2019-20.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) May 1, 2021
Improving his game:
Cosmi believes he still has things to improve. He's looking forward to working with Coach Matsko to fine-tune his game.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
College major:
Cosmi majored in ...Human Dimensions of Organizations, as one does. https://t.co/WQcN8Gbioy
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 1, 2021
Mauler:
Just talked with Sam Cosmi when I asked him about his game, he said “I’m a mauler”. If he’s beat once, he says it won’t happen again. Gives all credit to his faith and family. #washingtonfootball #NFLDraft2021
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) May 1, 2021
Self-scouting report of @WashingtonNFL 2nd-rounder Samuel Cosmi:
— Kyle Stackpole (@kylefstackpole) May 1, 2021
"I'm a mauler. I really focus on my technique, and if you beat me 1-on-1 on one play, I'm going to beat you on the next four, five, six plays. You're going to get a guy that's going to be a menace on that field."
Athleticism:
Cosmi believes his athleticism is able to help him play with more speed and be more aggressive. Cosmi ran a 4.8 40-yard dash and had 36 reps on bench press.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
Draft party:
Cosmi had plenty of people at his draft part, including family members and teammates. All of those people played a part in getting him to where he is today, and he wanted them to be there when he was drafted.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
An artful question from @PeteHaileyNBCS just now: "Who the hell were all those people in your house?"
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) May 1, 2021
Cosmi laughed and said he wanted to enjoy the night with everybody who supported him. He'll have to convert his high school coach from being a Cowboys fan, however.
FedEx Field:
Fun fact: Sam Cosmi’s college career started at @FedExField when Texas played Maryland. Now, his #NFL career will begin at FedExField. #WashingtonFootball #NFLDraft2021
— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) May 1, 2021
Getting the call:
Cosmi on the wait: "I thought the phone was never going to ring." Then he saw the Virginia area code and felt a "jolt" of excitement. No. Doubt.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) May 1, 2021
Cosmi said he thought the phone was never going to ring as he waited to get drafted. When it finally did, he got a jolt of energy and immediately went to his mom and gave him a bear hug. He said he wouldn't be where he is today without his parents.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021
Delivery driver:
Cosmi used to deliver food during his down time at Texas because he didn't want to just sit at his house doing nothing. He believes in doing everything 100%, so there's a good chance he strived to be the best food delivery guy in food delivery history.
— Zach Selby (@ZachDSelby) May 1, 2021