The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Longhorn Profiles: Samuel Cosmi
10.04.2019 | Football
An in-depth look at the third-year Longhorn and how he has embraced his new role on the team.
The blind side lineman is often said to be the key position on the offensive line, with the most skilled and technically sound player tasked with keeping the quarterback safe. They generally face the opponents best pass-rusher and any mistake can lead to a game-changing moment for the defense. It's a demanding, high-pressure role that requires an equal balance of power, strength, athletic ability, footwork and intelligence.
For Texas third-year sophomore left tackle Samuel Cosmi, who after lining up at right tackle for the bulk of his playing career has been tasked with the challenge of moving to left tackle in 2019, the details of manning the blind side is just that – details.
"I'm not trying to make it sound easier than it actually is, because it wasn't easy at first," Cosmi said. "I just play my game and do what I do normally, just on a different side."
A Freshman All-American and honorable mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year honoree in 2018, Cosmi was informed of his new role by co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Herb Hand during winter workouts prior to the 2019 spring season.
"I knew I had to get to work but I was up for the challenge," Cosmi said. "There were obviously a couple of key things I needed to work on – my footwork, pulling on runs, hand placement … getting off with the ball was a little bit harder. Coach Hand really pushed me in the spring and then I just continued working on my stance, my kicks, and my footwork all summer. Now it's becoming kind of almost second nature thanks to the coaching and reps, just constant reps."
Prior to this season, Cosmi had only lined up for a handful of snaps at left tackle, all of which took place while on the scout team when he redshirted his freshman year. He credits his maturation as a player with the ease of his shift to left tackle, as well as Hand, whose ability to key in on and "nitpick the little things," for helping in his overall development as a football player.
But while Cosmi downplays the transition from right to left side, his teammates champion his work ethic and drive as major factors for his early success in the position.
"He always works extremely hard on whatever he can so he can be the best that he can be," said junior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. "With his athletic ability, there wasn't much slack from when he made the transition. Sammy's a freak athlete; he's a skill guy in a lineman's body, so he can make adjustments really well because of his athleticism. I know I'm in good hands with him out there protecting my blindside."
Junior right tackle Derek Kerstetter agrees, noting Cosmi's focus and extra work he puts in before, during and after practice.
"He's very driven, detail-oriented and focuses in on what's going on in practice. He knows that practice is what will win you games," Kerstetter said. "He hasn't really changed his preparation very much, he's just kind of learned to be aware that he's protecting Sam's back."
Cohesion on the offensive line has also been a major factor in making the move so effective. Cosmi, Kerstetter and senior center Zach Shackelford started together last year and are roommates. The trio spends a great deal of time on and off the field. They also have great relationships with fellow starters, graduate transfer left guard Parker Braun and freshman right guard Junior Angilau.
"We have really good communication, you need that in the offensive line, we've really been proving that in these last few games that we've played," Cosmi said. "Our whole offensive line room, we're all buddies and I'm really close with every single one of those guys. We gel and I would say that helps a lot when we get into the games."
Ehlinger believes Cosmi and many of their Longhorn teammates may have formed an underdog mentality, pushing them to succeed.
An all-state and all-district right tackle at Atascocita High School in Humble, Texas, Cosmi tipped the scales at 260 pounds when he arrived on the Forty Acres, lean for his 6-foot-7 frame and a college offensive lineman, let alone one about to take on the rigors of the Big 12. He worked closely with strength coach Yancy McKnight and nutritionist Amy Culp to develop a plan that would add the right kind of weight, allowing him to grow to over 300 pounds while developing into one of the stronger players on the team. He's also maintained his athletic ability and is one of the faster linemen on the field.
"Nobody really thought of our recruiting class as a groundbreaking class, so everyone's carried that chip on their shoulder," Ehlinger said. "It's been awesome because it wasn't like Sam was a 5-Star guy, but he came in and put his head down and worked as hard as he could in the weight room and on the field and he's become one of the best linemen in the country."
Whether there is a chip on his shoulder or not, Cosmi has work-ethic and mentality has allowed him to focus on the task at hand, clearing running lanes for Texas' basks and protecting his quarterback's blindside.
"The whole experience of college and college football has helped me trust my training and not really nervous for games like LSU. I'm just calm, relaxed, focused and play my game," Cosmi said. "I'm just doing what I know I'm prepared to do and just help my team ball out."
With Cosmi and the offensive line playing at a high level, No. 11 Texas (3-1/1-0, Big 12) and Ehlinger have done just that in 2019. The Longhorns are averaging nearly 500 yards of offense (165.5 rushing/314.5 passing) and 41.8 points per game. Ehlinger ranks in the FBS Top 15 in passing TDs (15/6th), points responsible for (98/8th), passing efficiency (181.0) and passing offense per game (309.3 ypg/11th).
