Interview: 2023 Fayetteville DB/WR Talent Deuce Cooper Taking Athletic Skills to Alabama
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
From the spotlight of one SEC program to another, Deuce Cooper has made the move from Fayetteville High School (AR) to Tuscaloosa (AL) for the 2021 season suiting up with American Christian Academy. With the speed, athleticism, and technical skills acquired to date, Cooper will fit in nicely with the high-achieving Patriots squad.
Playing in one of the Natural State’s top conferences, Cooper was getting after 7A offenses during his sophomore campaign. Starting at corner and then moved to safety to strengthen the Bulldogs’ defense, the 5-11.5, 175-pound, defensive back showed his ball hawking skills. Those talents are being put to the test this spring playing 7v7 ball with Southern Express. As Cooper mixes it up with top players from throughout the country, college coaches are watching with interest coming in from teams covering the ACC, Mountain West, Pac-12, and SEC.
In an RNG first-look interview, Cooper updates us on his transfer and offseason workouts.
Interview
Deuce, the 2020 season for you on the gridiron had to be one full of growth. The coaches at Fayetteville had you all over the secondary and returning punts. Getting this great exposure to varsity football, how did your understanding of the game push forward during your sophomore season?
I’d say that it helped a lot. A lot of sophomores do not get to play varsity, especially in 7A. It was a great experience to learn the speed of the game. My one flaw this year, I was a little undersized. I was about 155 to 160 pounds. But I think I played well as a 10th grader. The biggest thing was learning the speed of the game. I have been playing corner and receiver my whole life, this season I learned how to also play safety.
Looks like the coaches were alternating you between playing safety and corner. From game to game, when did they switch you from one spot to the other?
We were having some trouble in our secondary, we were missing tackles at safety. I am a pretty good tackler, so they moved me there and asked me to make plays.
I like it. What were some of the coverages the Bulldogs were executing in 2020?
We played a lot of man and we played Cover 2 a lot. Those were our main two coverages. Later in the season we played zone in a Cover 3.
Playing corner how did your game show signs of improvement?
My eye discipline and better learning how to read routes. We had really good receivers. In practice I was getting a lot of great reps. My eye disciple is what improved the most. I have always been good at pedaling and flipping my hips, but not as good looking at the QB instead of looking at the receiver’s hips. I got a lot better at that this season.
And what about at safety?
I’d say my knowledge of coverages. Now I understand coverages from a different point of view. At corner, I knew what I was doing but at safety you have to know what everyone else is doing. You have to understand the entire defense.
When did you transfer to American Christian?
About two weeks ago.
When the 2021 season gets going where all might we see you on the field?
Everywhere – returning kicks, receiver, and corner; anywhere they need me. That is why I came here, my new head coach told me I can play both ways here. I am excited to do it.
Getting back at receiver, are you excited about that opportunity?
Yes, sir.
What style of offense do the Patriots run?
A lot of Spread. Last year they were really good with an explosive offense that produced a lot of big plays; that is what I expect.
From a speed and agility viewpoint, what are some of the drills and exercises you’ve been doing to increase your speed and athleticism?
I have been training working on my start, running hills and getting a lot of DB work in focusing on my backpedal, doing cones – doing everything.
You may be limited because of the transfer, but do you play any other varsity sports?
I was going to run track, but with the move. I will run track next year.
Which events in track do you compete in normally?
The 100 and 200.
You mentioned working on your backpedal, what have you been working on with your technique this spring as a defensive back?
I have been working on my press and off-man, my hips, and my speed. I have been working on everything I think I am good. Back in Arkansas I was on a 7v7 team, now I am playing 7v7 for Southern Express. I have my first tournament in Nashville with them this weekend. That will improve me playing against the best in the country. It will help my ball skills.
Are there any camps you may go compete at this spring or summer?
I will start my camp schedule by looking at all the coaches following me on Twitter. One of my teammates, who just got an offer from Southern Miss and Austin Peay, and another teammate, who has a lot of offers, I want to go to some camps with them. I will see where they are going. I want to go to a lot of college camps this summer. Liberty and Coastal Carolina are a couple of college camps I may go to this summer.
Which programs are showing interest?
I have Twitter follows from Texas A&M, Liberty, Coastal Carolina, North Carolina, Baylor, FSU, San Diego State, Colorado, FIU, FAU, and LSU. I took an unofficial visit to LSU last year.
Very cool. Deuce, I appreciate your time today and wish you success this spring with your 7v7 tournaments.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Nick Wenger/Cooper family; Deuce Cooper