LUMBERTON — Leading into high school football practice starting on July 31, The Robesonian’s sports reporter Jonathan Bym is publishing a countdown of the top 15 players in Robeson County, and Lumberton’s Malik Cooper comes in at No. 10 on the list.
In a couple of 7-on-7 scrimmages against Red Springs and E.E. Smith last week, Cooper showed his capabilities in the secondary for the Pirates. The tough defense on the outside is what Lumberton wants to see this year from its senior cornerback.
“If you noticed, nobody caught a ball on him today,” Lumberton coach Mike Setzer said after the scrimmage. “If you go to a 7-on-7 and nobody catches a ball on you, that’s big.”
That lockdown mentality is what Cooper brings to the Lumberton secondary and after a junior year that included him snagging a pick and earn All-County honors. Now is time for bigger things for him.
“I feel like my role is to be the shutdown corner that I can be,” Cooper said. “I just want to get better (this season).”
While the expectations for him are higher, the same goes for the defensive unit as a whole that returns most of its talent at all three depths. Cooper feels his teammates can show growth right alongside him as he continues to improve.
“I’m really excited for this year and excited for the defense and see how we can come out and what we can do this year,” Cooper said. “I expect to get a lot better this year and expect really, really good things.”
After catching college attention this summer, Cooper said that he has felt that extra push to strive for better this season. Colleges that have already shown interest include Campbell and Old Dominion.
“It’s motivated me a lot and I really feel like I can make some good impressions this year,” Cooper said.
“I’m looking for an offer to come in any day on him,” Setzer said.”He’s a great kid and he’s going to be our shutdown corner.”
Cooper and the rest of the Lumberton secondary will look to fill the void of Tyreik McCallum, who graduated and had three interceptions last season. That total was half of the team’s total last year.
