In his freshman year, Mays played in ten games for Tennessee and started two.[6] Mays started eight games the following year despite an injury that caused him to miss six games during the year. In his junior year, Mays started all thirteen games of the season and helped the Tennessee offensive line be named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award and the Tennessee offense be ranked number one in the nation.[7][8] Before the 2023 season, Mays was named on the preseason watchlist for the Rimington Trophy.[9] On August 9, Mays underwent surgery for a hernia.[10] The procedure caused him to miss the first four games of the season; nevertheless, Mays started the final nine games and again was a part of the Tennessee offensive line that was named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.[11][12][13] Additionally, Mays was named a member of the second-team All-SEC team.[14] Mays elected to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA for the shortened 2020 season and return to Tennessee for a fifth year.[15][16] Before the 2024 season started, Mays was named on the watchlist for the first and second All-SEC teams,[17] the first and second All-American teams,[18] along with the Outland Trophy[19] and the Rimington Trophy.[20] Following the regular season, Mays was named to the first-team All-SEC team[21] and became the first finalist for the Rimington Trophy in Tennessee football history.[22] Additionally, Mays was named a first-team All-American.[23]
Personal life
Mays' brother, Cade Mays, played football at Tennessee with Cooper before becoming an offensive lineman in the NFL.[24][25][26] Mays' father, Kevin, also played football at Tennessee, playing from 1991 to 1994 and serving as captain of the team.[27][28] Mays graduated with a degree in sports management in 2024.[29]
