NoCal athlete up to four offers
Tight end/linebacker Kenneth Cooper (6-5, 245, 4.5) from Merced, Calif., is a very intriguing prospect. One who we hope to see at the NIKE Camp in Palo Alto this coming May. Cooper has seen his offers rise to four since Rivals.com first introduced him to you in early March.
The intriguing thing about Cooper is versatility. He has the size and ability to play tight end, the speed to play wide receiver and the toughness to play linebacker or even defensive end on the D-I level.
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Cooper played slot back as a sophomore, and tight end as a junior. He will move back to wide receiver for his senior season.
Again versatility is Cooper's calling card. Merced head coach Rob Scheidt feels his talented athlete can play defensive end, all three linebacker spots and even some safety if need be.
"Kenneth is such a tremendous athlete," Scheidt said. "The thing that D-I colleges like about him most is his size, speed and his versatility.
"Right now most schools like him as a tight end, but linebacker and defensive end are also being entertained, Scheidt said. "Kenneth isn't a position guy because he brings a lot of versatility.
"What set Kenneth apart from other tight end prospects is his blocking," Scheidt said. "He can run and catch the football, but he takes pride on his blocking and is outstanding at it."
The schools that have offered are Arizona, Arizona State, Washington State and Colorado. North Carolina, Texas and LSU have shown interest in him and have requested tape.
"Kenneth has high interest in all the schools that have offered him," Scheidt said. "Cal is also a school that he likes because of familiarity."
Cooper earned all-area, all-district and all-conference honors from his tight end position as a junior mostly for his blocking skills. He ended up with seven receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns.