Interview: 2022 California ATH Cooper Barkate had a Super Sophomore Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The national landscape of high school football produces amazing video game-esq seasons year after year with unbelievable standout performances. With the thousands upon thousands playing, few are lucky to capture the attention of the fans in the stands and college coaches from afar at one position, but Class of 2022 athlete Cooper Barkate was stunning across the board.
Don’t let the 6-1, 185-pound, frame of Barkate fool you; this kid can play. Lining up on defense for St. Margaret’s in 2019 as the team’s top corner, Barkate finished with 31 stops, four picks, and jarred loose the pigskin four times earning All-League Defensive MVP honors. The in between times when the field was being flipped back to the offense, Barkate took back eight kicks for 301 yards and 12 punts for 265 more.
Perhaps where he shinned brightest was at receiver. California defenses had no answer for Barkate seeing him secure 63 passes for 1,152 yards. If all that was not enough, on his way to 1,921 all-purpose yards, he even toted the rock 16 times for 203 yards with 16 touchdowns scored in total.
Beyond Barkate’s 4.46 speed, colleges are sure to keep up with his activities on the field. Over the offseason, he transferred from St. Margaret’s to California powerhouse Mission Viejo carrying offers from Illinois State and Purdue with him.
In an RNG exclusive interview, Barkate stepped into the RNG Lab for the first time going deep on all things high school football.
Interview
Cooper, every player worth their offseason workouts wants to make a big impact for their team and in as many ways as possible. Going into the 2019 season, did you know you would have such a big role for the Tartans?
“I had an idea. The summer before, I did 7v7 and I was going full force with my workouts. I played lacrosse before, but then I geared more towards football. We had a new offensive coordinator, I worked with him over the spring and summer; I had an idea but I did not know it would be that big of an impact season.”
On offense, the coaches were lining you up all over the place trying to create mismatches. What were some of the routes you were running in 2019?
“A lot of unorthodox routes. Wheels and ups, we had a bunch of corners, and some slants. We did not run a whole lot of deep routes. We had some fades, but a lot of short game routes and crosses.”
Before we get to your speed, your yards after contact and balance keeping your feet are impressive. How have you worked on that part of your game beyond determination?
“My dad has worked with me on that since youth football. That has always been a big thing, yards after the catch. I’ve worked a lot on balance and strength. I do a lot of drills and footwork drills to do that.”
Now your speed. How fast are you?
“After training with Emmanuel Moody this offseason, I ran a 4.46. That was one of my 40 times. That is my latest. I transferred to Mission Viejo and was on 4×1 team, but track season is over because of the virus. We ran two meets, the first one, that was the fastest initial time in California.”
Nice. How did your overall game was a receiver improve last season?
“It changed a lot. The play style of our offensive coordinator was short passes and all passing orientated. That opened my eyes to the different ins and outs of the game, not just a 10-yard out. I learned a lot of different schemes and how to go against zone and man coverages. Learning all that changed me as a receiver. That benefited me. This was my first year at receiver, I was a defensive back my freshman year. I was very happy with how I did last year as a receiver.”
We’ve jumped all over your play on offense, but you were also a standout on defense earning League Defensive MVP honors. Where all were you lining up in the secondary and which coverages were you executing?
“At cornerback on the left side. Our defense was a lot of press man; my coach, he’s at Long Beach Poly now. We did all press man until third and 10 or more, then we went into a two-safety zone. I played off a few yards, but we were 90 percent man all year. I had their No. 1 receiver all year to go against.”
Awesome. In which ways did you see that part of your game improve during your junior year?
“I was seeing stuff going both ways. I was seeing how corners and safeties see the play and as a receiver what you are seeing from the defensive backs. As a receiver, you know what a DB would jump on from the route and the release.”
Were you playing 7v7 ball before the virus cut short the season?
“Yes, sir. I was playing with OC Elite.”
How was training and playing in 7v7 tournaments with OC Elite helping you push your game forward?
“It was good. We have practice on Thursdays after school workouts, we used to, and then we would practice again on Sundays. The great thing about OC Elite, it was more oriented towards training the individual position. I was training as a receiver and working on my DB skills.”
You mentioned your transfer to Mission Viejo, what roles will you play in 2020 with the Diablos?
“I’m open to play anything and everything. I know I will play receiver and guessing a little bit as a defensive back.”
We talked about some of your offseason workouts with OC Elite, what else are you working on this offseason?
“I’m working with Coach Moody for speed training; speed kills. But I am also doing receiver work. I am getting better against press and my releases off the line. I am working with coaches for my receiver work as well.”
Two schools have offered, which two?
“Illinois State and Purdue.”
Which schools are showing interest?
“The main ones are Stanford, Notre Dame, Cal, and UCLA.”
From last season up to this offseason, did you take any unofficial visits?
“A few. USC invited me to a game, Notre Dame invited me to a game, and so did San Diego State for a game. Purdue, I saw one of their games as well. I went to a UCLA game. My dad played at UCLA in the ‘80’s. Football has always been a big part of my life and so has UCLA.”
Visiting USC, how did that go?
“It went really well. I got to meet their recruiting coordinator and receivers’ coach. I love the environment of the Coliseum. They had great food there. It was a great time.”
And Notre Dame, how did that go?
“It went really well. It was cold coming from California. They played Navy; it was a really good game. Notre Dame has a great environment. I loved the town. It was a lively environment. I went on the field before the game, and they had great food there too.”
Once things pick back up, do you plan on taking any visits?
“One to Cal. I was supposed to Stanford, Cal, and Notre Dame for camps in June. I’ve been talking to the receivers’ coach from Cal quite a bit. Everything has hit a pause. As soon as that campus ban lifts, I am looking forward to seeing those three schools.”
During the course of the interview you’ve mentioned playing a few sports beyond football. Which sports are you competing in overall?
“Track, and I was on lacrosse team at St. Margret’s. We won state my freshman year, but I love football more and have stopped playing lacrosse.”
Understood. Cooper, it was great getting the interview in with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Cooper Barkate at Notre Dame and at Cal