Gamecocks All-SEC receiver Cooper says he misses playing defense
Most non-skill-position players fantasize about having the ball in their hands, scoring touchdowns, getting the glory. But for South Carolina receiver Pharoh Cooper, it's just the opposite.
Cooper, a preseason All-SEC wideout and the conference's leading returning receiver after a 1,136-yard sophomore season, said Tuesday at SEC Media Days that he often misses playing defense, which he did in high school as a standout on both sides of the ball at Havelock (N.C.) High.
"(I miss defense) all the time," Cooper said. "I feel like, 'What would I be doing if I was at DB right now, making plays and highlights?' I think about it all the time."
Given his skill set and athleticism, Cooper, a four-star recruit, likely could have been successful at a number of positions. The Gamecocks have used that versatility to their benefit, making Cooper a focal point of both their passing game and their return game.
And while Cooper sometimes thinks about shutting down other receivers and picking off passes rather than racking up big reception numbers of his own, he recognizes that he's doing what Steve Spurrier and the rest of the coaching staff think is best for him and the team.
"When I see a ball in the air that should’ve been picked off, I know I would’ve gotten it," Cooper said. "But I know that’s not my role. I’m on offense."
(h/t Saturday Down South)
