Local track phenom Cooper open to playing college football

View as article

Peter Ariz

All American
Premium
Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
12,002
[video=youtube;Xls_pHfEIsA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xls_pHfEIsA[/video]


Speed is the name of the game in the modern era of football. Coaches, general managers, and scouts alike are particularly keen on finding game-changing burst at the skill positions -- and it just so happens that south Florida is ground zero for that type of speed.

Hailing from Miami Gardens, class of 2019 phenom Tyrese Cooper has a chance to be one of the next great American track and field athletes. Cooper broke national junior records as a freshman last year at the AAU junior olympics, clocking 45.23 in the 400M and 10.36 in the 100M.

[video=youtube;ySFKGraYAOg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySFKGraYAOg[/video]

After spending his freshman season at American High School, Cooper transferred to Norland as a sophomore. The electric runner says that after freshman year, his track coach wanted him to focus solely on track. He got the itch to hit the football field for his junior campaign, though, and his coaches are allowing him to do so -- news that could potentially excite college coaches.

Although he has a major future in track, "Smoke" is not counting out the possibility of pursuing football at the next level as well. Cooper told CanesInSight this morning that he is seriously considering handling both track and football in college, as long as the opportunity presents itself.

[video=youtube;DnhEE0iSi2U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnhEE0iSi2U[/video]


He does not have public highlights available from Norland's first two games yet, but Cooper is playing wide receiver for the Vikings and scored a touchdown on a reverse in the team's opener against Piper. He posted the clip on Twitter a few weeks ago:

[TWEET]902571099963174912[/TWEET]

I will be at Norland's game against Central in a few weeks to get a close look at Cooper on the field. It will be interesting to see how he continues to progress and the type of interest he picks up from big-time college football coaches.
 
Last edited:
Advertisement
But is he quick in pads? Can we use a track scholarship on him?

I'm going to answer these now before they're asked 649 more times.

Yes. No.
 
Advertisement
What happened to that track guy that was supposed to be on the team as a returner, etc.? Pete posted about it a little while back, I remember everyone was excited but I haven't heard a peep since.
 
Gets that 400 down to the low 44's and he's in the olympics. Has 3-4 years to do that, He'll be sticking with track.
 
Advertisement
Advertisement
Cooper housed a kickoff return against Central last night.

3-minute mark of this video

[video=youtube_share;41OKcAOprHE]https://youtu.be/41OKcAOprHE[/video]
 
Cooper housed a kickoff return against Central last night.

3-minute mark of this video

[video=youtube_share;41OKcAOprHE]https://youtu.be/41OKcAOprHE[/video]

Pete, are we interested and/or is he interested?
 
Advertisement
Cooper housed a kickoff return against Central last night.

3-minute mark of this video

[video=youtube_share;41OKcAOprHE]https://youtu.be/41OKcAOprHE[/video]

Pete, are we interested and/or is he interested?

From my understanding, not too many programs are after him for football at this point because they aren’t sure he is serious about pursuing football since he’s such a phenom in track. But if he keeps making plays like this, I am sure the coaches will start to ask about him.
 
Track doesn't pay though...

It does when your as good as he could be.

One of the shoe companies will give him a lot of $

I can promise you, professional track athletes make a nice living.

There's a reason Christian Coleman left Tennessee with a year of eligibility left and an offer from Butch Joness to join the football team. When you are elite, track pays very well!
 
Advertisement
Back
Top