Hard-hitting Cooper headed to Illinois

Proviso East sophomore Corey Cooper gave an oral commitment to Illinois.
(Rob Hart/STNG)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Solid and chiseled. Fast and athletic. Hardworking and passionate. A leader and a coach's dream.

Those are just some of the descriptions Proviso East football coach Aaron Peppers uses to describe sophomore Corey Cooper.

"Corey is one of the most athletic players I have ever seen," Peppers told yourseason.com on Thursday. "Not only that, he is so coachable. What you tell him to do he goes out there and does it. He's so easy to coach."

That bodes well for Ron Zook and Illinois, since Cooper, a 6-2, 195-pound safety and receiver for the Pirates, gave an oral commitment to the Illini over the weekend.

"For Corey, you look at Illinois and see they were just in the Rose Bowl," Peppers said. "You also see them defeat Ohio State in the regular season. So you know they're going to be competitive every year."

In Cooper, the Illini get a competitive player with a tremendous upside. Cooper already runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and a 10.7 in the 100. He also bench presses 275 pounds and squats 425.

Last season, Cooper had 35 receptions and four touchdowns as a receiver and made one interception as a safety.

"I think I bring playmaking skills to either side of the ball," said Cooper, whose father played football at Purdue. "I also believe I can only get better. This (upcoming) season, I am looking forward not only to a big season for me, but one for my team."

Illinois didn't waste anytime recruiting Cooper. After starring as a freshman on Proviso East's sophomore team, Cooper was contacted by Illinois co-defensive coordinator Dan Disch.

"They saw Cooper and you just look at his upside and that was it," said Peppers, who plans to use his star more on offense and as a kick returner next season. “He dominated as freshman playing against sophomores and did the same as a sophomore on varsity.”

Cooper, the only two-way player for the Pirates last season, is expected to play safety for the Illini.

"I don't prefer a position," Cooper said. "But I like to make big hits, grab interceptions and force turnovers. But I’ll play wherever they need me.”

Peppers said Cooper reminds him a lot of Ronnie Lott and Steve Atwater, two of the hardest-hitting and most feared safeties to play in the NFL.

"He's so great at using his speed to create plays from safety," Peppers said. "Plus, he uses that speed to hit. Why would you ever want to move a time-bomb out of there."

Since Cooper is only sophomore, he is sure to receive plenty of mail and calls from other colleges in the next two years. He has already received information from Colorado, Indiana, Michigan State and Wisconsin.

Illini fans, though, shouldn't worry. The soft-spoken Cooper said he is “pretty much sold” on Illinois.

"It’s the place I want to be,” Cooper said. “I get along great with all the coaches and I really liked all the facilities. It really fit me. I am looking forward to going there. I am going to do a lot when I play there."

ajahns@chicagosuntimes.com