Anthony Cooper has committed to the University of Virginia over Tennessee and Vanderbilt. The 6’0″, 180-pound rising senior wide receiver/safety, a first-team all-state selection in 2010 and no. 10 in TheSabre.com’s Preseason In-State Top 40, announced his decision this afternoon at a press conference at Bayside High School (Virginia Beach, VA).
One of the top players on a Marlins squad that went undefeated last regular season and reached the Group AAA, Division 6 state semifinals, Cooper performs well on both sides of the ball but is being recruited by UVa initially as a receiver. On offense, he totaled 40 catches for 785 yards in 2010. In addition to the finalists, Cooper claimed offers from Boston College, Virginia Tech, JMU, ODU, Richmond, and Western Michigan.
Back in February of 2011, Marlins head coach Darnell Moore described Cooper simply as a playmaker.
“College coaches just look at him and like his ability,” Moore said of Cooper. “He’s a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He had two punt returns for touchdowns last year. He had a kick return for a touchdown. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns. He ran one in on offense and had seven touchdown receptions. He had five interceptions to go along with all of that. He’s a playmaker.”
Assuming he follows through and signs a letter of intent next February, Cooper will represent the third Bayside High School prospect to sign with Virginia in as many classes. UVa hopes the success continues in the next class, as it has already offered a scholarship to Bayside rising junior running back Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell.
Cooper is rising high school senior number 16 to commit to the Cavaliers, but more could be on the horizon. Landstown (Virginia Beach, VA) tight end/wide receiver Kyle Dockins will announce from Georgia, Virginia and Virginia Tech tomorrow at 3 p.m., and Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) defensive end Eli Harold will choose from Florida, Penn State and UVa on August 2. Virginia has a great chance with both prospects.
