Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA) wide receiver/safety Anthony Cooper isn’t ready to commit, and he doesn’t list a clear favorite. But this past Saturday’s experience in Charlottesville solidified UVa’s standing as one of the top contenders for the 6-0, 180-pound junior, who was surprised by one particular aspect of the visit.

“I was just looking to see how the coaches feel about the school, academics wise,” said Cooper, who visited UVa along with fellow Virginia Beach star junior Eli Harold , Harold’s uncle, and a teammate of Harold’s. “I’m happy with what I heard. They talked life and academics. It shocked me. It [wasn’t] about football. It was about grades, and how you can do better in life.”

The message from the Cavaliers coaching staff resonated very well with the talented athlete, who earned all-state honors last season at wide receiver.

“It was a huge impact,” Cooper said. “Now I know the coaches don’t think only about winning football games. They think about your life after football. They talked a lot about education. It had a huge impact on me.”

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