Cooper Rush will enter the 2017 NFL Draft on the outside looking in, projected as a seventh round selection or undrafted free agent. According to CBS Sports, the former four-year starter at Central Michigan is the 15th ranked prospect among quarterbacks.
Rush is 54 spots ahead of Western Michigan's Zach Terrell overall, the only two quarterbacks representing the Mid-American Conference in the draft. Terrell did not receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine.
Six weeks following the East-West Shrine Game, the outgoing senior exhibition in St. Petersburg, Florida, Rush completed his field measurements at the combine Saturday in Indianapolis.
During the 40-yard dash, Rush clocked an official time of 4.93 seconds.
The Lansing Catholic (Mich.) alumnus finished 0.5 inches behind Mitch Trubisky, a potential top-10 pick in the draft, of North Carolina in the vertical jump at 27 inches.
He tied with Colorado's Sefo Liufau in the broad jump at 105 inches. Trevor Knight of Texas A&M had a measurement of 125 inches.
No quarterbacks at the combine tested in the bench press or three cone drill.
As Rush continues to receive criticism for his lack of arm strength, it helps that he was able to increase his hand size from 8 3/4 inches at the Shrine Game to 9 1/8 inches this weekend.
Rush told the media that he fixed the problem by looking up a YouTube video for typists on how to stretch their hands.
"It helps it feel better and it worked," he said.
What the Charlotte, Michigan, native does have going for him is his intelligence on the field and leadership. In his senior season at Central Michigan, Rush threw for 3,540 yards, 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, averaging 7.6 yards per completion.
As the only representative for the Chippewas in Indianapolis, Rush said the advice from CMU coach John Bonamego, a former NFL assistant, helped him during the process.
"It's once in a lifetime," he said. "Bonamego has given me tons of pointers coming into this. He's been real supportive through the whole process.
"Own it. Be yourself. Own who you are. It's what works best with people."
Rush had positive things to say about the New York Jets and their quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, saying that 15 NFL teams have expressed interest in him. New York has selected a quarterback in each of the last four drafts.
"Got to talk a lot of Xs and Os with guys, just show them what you know," Rush said. "Real confident in that area. Thought I portrayed that well. I pride myself on having a lot of knowledge about the game."
In four years at Central Michigan, Rush threw for 12,883 yards and 90 touchdowns. He set the CMU single-season record for most passing yards in 2015 with 3,848.
