2017 Wisconsin receiver Max Cooper commits to Iowa
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – It didn't take long for Max Cooper to decide that Iowa was the place for him.
The two-star receiver in the 2017 class was previously committed to Central Michigan, but flipped his commitment on Wednesday after receiving a scholarship offer from Iowa on Monday.
The offer from Iowa was an opportunity that Cooper, a native of Waukesha, Wis., couldn't pass up.
“T’he Big Ten has really been a dream of mine," Cooper said. "And getting an opportunity like that to play for Coach Ferentz in the Big Ten, especially for such a great school with a rich history and a great program it’s just huge. It’s a huge opportunity for me and it’s something I just couldn’t pass up. It’s just a dream come true."
Cooper's commitment comes at a good time. Iowa recently lost two receiver commits in Beau Corrales and Gavin Holmes, both of whom are Texas natives.
Cooper now joins Lake Cormorant, Miss, native Brandon Smith as the two receivers committed to Iowa's 2017 recruiting class. Cooper sees himself as a complement to Smith in the slot and is fully committed to the Hawkeyes, who are preparing to face Florida in the Outback bowl on Jan. 2 in Tampa, Fla.
"I’’m looking to be a slot receiver," Cooper said. "I’m on the side of the short receivers, looking at the recruits they got. Brandon Smith, he’s definitely got the height advantange on me and the weight.
"I’m sure he’s going to be the wideout and I’ll be the slot receiver so I’m going to try to use my quickness and speed to my advantage inside the slot. I would say I’m 100% committed to Iowa.”
Cooper has visited Iowa City before with his cousin. That helped him get a feel for the UI campus.
Cooper referred to Iowa as the complete package. He said Kirk Ferentz's coaching longevity stood out to him. Ferentz is in his 18th season as the Iowa head coach and is the dean of Big Ten football coaches.
"I was there a long time ago with cousin because he worked there. So I was on the campus once but I mean I know a couple people that are going there currently and all the tbiings they’ve told me about the campus and how fun it is and the program academically and just the program has had a rich tradition.
"Coach Ferentz being there for so long it’s really something that attracted me to the school. And I’ve heard that the brotherhood of the teammates are just unbelievable. That’s one of the big priorities I was looking for. Iowa’s got all of it.”
As far as Ferentz's no-visit policy for committed players, Cooper isn't concerned about that being an issue.
“I’d say it’s not something I’m worried about," Cooper said. "I’m not really looking towards visting other schools right now. I’m committed to Iowa to ifs ands or buts about it.”