NU recruit still mulling options
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By BRIAN CHRISTOPHERSON / Lincoln Journal Star
Husker football recruit Khiry Cooper made his way to Lincoln on Monday still lugging a hefty decision.Though he came to Nebraska, the Shreveport, La., native remains unsure as to whether he’ll sign to play baseball for the Los Angeles Angels’ organization or keep his commitment to the Huskers.
“I’m coming up there, still negotiating with the Angels. I’ve dropped my classes for now,” Cooper said in reference to summer classes at UNL. “If I end up signing, then I’ll leave. If I end up not, then I’m already there.”
Once a player enrolls in college, he cannot sign a pro baseball contract for three years. Pro teams have until Aug. 15 to try to sign their draft picks.
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A receiver on the football field and a center fielder on the diamond, Cooper has spoken with representatives from the Angels a couple times since being drafted Thursday in the fifth round.
“It’s been crazy,” Cooper said. “The phone hasn’t stopped ringing and all kinds of stuff.”
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Cooper said he thinks he’ll have an answer before this week is over, perhaps even in the next couple of days.
“All I know is he’s not going to sit around and wait on the Angels,” said Rodney Traweek, Cooper’s baseball coach at Calvary Baptist Academy. “He’s going to go to Nebraska and be prepared not to sign.”
Cooper said he’s given consideration to the idea of trying to play both minor-league baseball and college football — which has been done before — but Monday seemed to be leaning against such an undertaking.
He said Husker coaches have been supportive and told him he has to do what’s in his best interest. If Cooper did stick with Nebraska, it would also be significant for Mike Anderson’s baseball team, which would also likely get his services.
Choosing NU would require passing on a decent chunk of change.
Most fifth-round picks in last year’s baseball draft received between $110,000 to $150,000 in signing bonuses. And Cooper’s scholarship to Nebraska could potentially help him get a better deal than most with the Angels.
“You have a bit of leverage,” he said.
While he thinks it over, the very devout Cooper has been praying often.
“I’ve let God guide me and that’s what I’m going to continue to do,” he said.
Reach Brian Christopherson at 473-7439 or bchristopherson@journalstar.com.
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