Interview: 17-Offer 3-Star 2021 WR Makai Cope Covers Workouts and Recruiting Visits
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The long journey to being a highly recruited national college football prospect for Makai Cope began during his freshman season. A four-reception, 123-yard season with one touchdown in 2017 grew to a 47-reception, 780-yard, and nine-touchdown campaign as a sophomore. At LA’s Culver City High School, the 6-3, 200-pound, wide out found his rhythm within the Centaurs’ offense securing 46 passes for 802 yards with nine scores in seven games during the team’s 12-1 run in 2019. The lengthy list of productivity on the field has brought an undervalued three-star recruiting status along with 17 scholarship offers spanning Pac-12, Mountain West, Big 12, and Big Ten programs.
In another RNG interview, Cope steps inside the Lab for a rundown on his offseason workouts and potential recruiting visits in the coming months.
*Click link for previous RNG interview with Makai Cope
Interview
Makai, when the 2019 season ended, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a receiver?
“My strength as a receiver was reading coverages. By looking at the safety, one or two high, and the DB in front of me, I could see if he will lunge at me or bail. Once I knew the coverage, I knew my release and route. From there, I can find the hole and knew where to go to get open. Last season, I could see the setup.”
What were some of the routes you were running last season?
“A lot, slants, curls, streaks, post-corners, posts, a slant-and-up-with a curl, and then with a go.”
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with the technical part of your game?
“Speed training, working on my cuts, breaking down getting in and out of my breaks, and my route running – that is key. And my overall strength.”
What drills are you doing to work on your speed and agility?
“My trainer’s name is Gary; he also trains Deshawn Jackson. I go to Long Beach to do drills with him. We do C-drills, hurdles, sleds, and work on getting my knees up – we work on everything.”
Sounds like it. What has been your daily routine to stay in shape?
“It depends. I have class in the morning, then in the afternoon/evening I will lift. My dad bought a weight rack; I go into the backyard to lift. On Monday and Wednesday I go with my trainer, Jeff Johnson, to do position training.”
How will you be utilized within Culver City’s offense in 2020?
“Eww, this year, I will be moved around a lot more between the outside and in the slot. They will move me around more, and I will be playing both sides of the ball. I am versatile, I will be able to show that I am not just an offensive player, but I can tackle too.”
Which position on defense will you be playing?
“Either corner or strong safety.”
How many offers do you have now?
“Seventeen.”
Which programs were the last few to offer?
“Northwestern, Stanford, Holy Cross, Utah, UNLV, and Boise State.”
Cope’s Offer Sheet: Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Fresno State, Holy Cross, Kansas State, Michigan, Northwestern, Oregon State, San Jose State, Stanford, Syracuse, UNLV, USC, Utah, and Washington State
Which schools are showing interest but have not offered yet?
“Since Stanford offer, no new schools have shown interest.”
Before the dead period, did you get a chance to visit any programs?
“The only Junior Day visit I was able to take was to Stanford, then the quarantine happened.”
If you will, tell me about the Stanford visit.
“It went pretty well. I love their facilities. The school is really huge, you need a bike for everywhere. They have good people there, and their receivers’ coach is really nice. Stanford made me feel at home. I know some of their receivers; it was a good connection and a good environment.”
When things open back up, do you have any planned trips on the schedule, official or unofficial?
“I don’t know about official visits yet, but I do plan to go see Kansas State, Northwestern, Boise State, and Arizona.”
Given all of your offers, do you plan on putting out a Top Schools list? Do you have a date in mind?
“Not a definite date, but I am working on my Top 5.”
What about a commitment date? Have you started thinking about when you might commit?
“I am not thinking about that at all. When the time feels right, I will commit.”
When that time is right for you, what does the ideal fit at the next level look like for you?
“My ideal school starts with education; I want to major in Art, but I am not sure which field yet. I want a great art program. I want to feel like I am at home, having a good relationship with the coaches and players. If I feel at home everything will be okay. I will work my tail off for it, I am looking to start as a true freshman. If everything runs smoothly, that will be the pick.”
Time for my virus buster. What have you been doing for fun during the quarantine?
“During the quarantine I have been working out, playing Madden 2020, and painting my cleats – I just started on a new pair. I am doing my own custom cleats. I do a new pair each year, a version that no one else has. Besides that, I have been spending time with my family and eating.”
Makai, it is always great spending time with you talking football and recruiting. Wishing you nothing but success the rest of this spring working on your game.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Cope family; Makai Cope at Stanford