In his first game back, Deon Cooper showed what his legs can add to McClatchy’s junior varsity offense. The Class of 2029 quarterback rushed for 170 yards and completed five passes against Destiny Christian Academy, putting his ability to make plays on the ground on display.
Cooper knows he’s undersized for the position, and he’s learning how to use his mobility to his advantage. He looks up to Kyler Murray and Bryce Young, two quarterbacks who reached the NFL despite questions about their height. Their paths resonate with Cooper, who trains every day with the goal of playing quarterback at the Division I level.
His biggest motivation comes from home. Cooper has watched his mother work hard to provide for him and his siblings, and he wants to put himself in a position to ease that burden someday. When he talks about why he keeps training, he talks about wanting his mom to work less and worry less about money.
Cooper carries a 2.9 GPA at McClatchy and is still early in his high school career. The 170 yards against Destiny Christian gave him a glimpse of the impact he can make with his legs. His goal now is to keep developing as a passer and a runner so he can bring both parts of his game to the college level.
