Cooper Barkate is My Kind of Player

10-4 said:

He and Toney are going to make each other better by the day.

Joe R said:

I have made countless posts on this board over the past 2 decades about our need for smart players. I'm a Hurricane fan spoiled by the likes of Bernie Kosar, Rodney Bellinger, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Dan Morgan, Jon Vilma, Ed Reed, Jay Brophy, Ken Calhoun, Tremain Mack, Jon Beason, Shaq Quarterman, Howard Clark, Matt Walters, Denzel Perryman, Quadtrine Hill, DJ Williams, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and many, many more. I just prefer players whose football IQs match or exceed their standard IQ. Its just my preference. I cringe when our players do dumb things on the field. I prefer players who show they understand the game and what's important on a given play. Watching the highlight video of this fellow Cooper Barkate is a revelation. As I said in another thread, while his QB is a Mensah, Barkate himself is a Mensa. His understanding of route running is precise. His ability to find the open area is uncanny. I am NOT saying he is another Reggie Wayne but he certainly has THOSE 2 skills that helped make Wayne an excellent WR. He also understands when he is about to be hit and prepares for the hit. That skill is mental, not physical. It requires preparation and understanding of where you are on the field and where your defenders are. His highlight reel features several contested grabs that are the kinds of plays necessary to sustain drives. All this does not even begin to address the chemistry he already has with Mensah. A team with smart players has an advantage over their opponents. I am glad to have him.

Ennis h. Proctor said:

He and Toney should form one of the best duos in the country. Malachi is the smartest football player I have seen in a long time, so if Barkate is close to him in his blocking, route running, etc., we good...

Raoul said:

Our passing game is in good hands next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mensah get close to 5k passing yards if one or two of our other receivers like Wingo or Moore are productive.

10-4 said:

He and Toney are going to make each other better by the day.

Lechero said:

I imagine the competition for reps behind Barkate / Mali will be fierce. Can’t wait to see who steps up and claims the final spot in camp. LFG!

Joe R said:

I have made countless posts on this board over the past 2 decades about our need for smart players. I'm a Hurricane fan spoiled by the likes of Bernie Kosar, Rodney Bellinger, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Dan Morgan, Jon Vilma, Ed Reed, Jay Brophy, Ken Calhoun, Tremain Mack, Jon Beason, Shaq Quarterman, Howard Clark, Matt Walters, Denzel Perryman, Quadtrine Hill, DJ Williams, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and many, many more. I just prefer players whose football IQs match or exceed their standard IQ. Its just my preference. I cringe when our players do dumb things on the field. I prefer players who show they understand the game and what's important on a given play. Watching the highlight video of this fellow Cooper Barkate is a revelation. As I said in another thread, while his QB is a Mensah, Barkate himself is a Mensa. His understanding of route running is precise. His ability to find the open area is uncanny. I am NOT saying he is another Reggie Wayne but he certainly has THOSE 2 skills that helped make Wayne an excellent WR. He also understands when he is about to be hit and prepares for the hit. That skill is mental, not physical. It requires preparation and understanding of where you are on the field and where your defenders are. His highlight reel features several contested grabs that are the kinds of plays necessary to sustain drives. All this does not even begin to address the chemistry he already has with Mensah. A team with smart players has an advantage over their opponents. I am glad to have him.

Joe R said:

I have made countless posts on this board over the past 2 decades about our need for smart players. I'm a Hurricane fan spoiled by the likes of Bernie Kosar, Rodney Bellinger, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Dan Morgan, Jon Vilma, Ed Reed, Jay Brophy, Ken Calhoun, Tremain Mack, Jon Beason, Shaq Quarterman, Howard Clark, Matt Walters, Denzel Perryman, Quadtrine Hill, DJ Williams, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and many, many more. I just prefer players whose football IQs match or exceed their standard IQ. Its just my preference. I cringe when our players do dumb things on the field. I prefer players who show they understand the game and what's important on a given play. Watching the highlight video of this fellow Cooper Barkate is a revelation. As I said in another thread, while his QB is a Mensah, Barkate himself is a Mensa. His understanding of route running is precise. His ability to find the open area is uncanny. I am NOT saying he is another Reggie Wayne but he certainly has THOSE 2 skills that helped make Wayne an excellent WR. He also understands when he is about to be hit and prepares for the hit. That skill is mental, not physical. It requires preparation and understanding of where you are on the field and where your defenders are. His highlight reel features several contested grabs that are the kinds of plays necessary to sustain drives. All this does not even begin to address the chemistry he already has with Mensah. A team with smart players has an advantage over their opponents. I am glad to have him.

Canetogo said:

Yep..........it will be a "choose your poison" type moments for our opponents..........and I love it.... Now Dawson.......saddle up and use these guys..........

MikePCane said:

And let’s face it: he was the focus of many defenses Duke faced. Apparently not Clemson bc he ran wide open but… Toney takes up so much attention. Hes gonna free some explosives for Cooper.

Hooracane said:

He looks like a bigger and faster version of Berrios and Restrepo.

eplanas said:

Absolutely. Moore, Vaughn, Jacobs and Upshaw will have a strong competition for the last spot though I expect a heavy roation regardless. Needs to be whichever WR can provide the most consistent deep threat so we can create room for the running game and the quick passes to Toney and Barkate.

Joe R said:

I have made countless posts on this board over the past 2 decades about our need for smart players. I'm a Hurricane fan spoiled by the likes of Bernie Kosar, Rodney Bellinger, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Dan Morgan, Jon Vilma, Ed Reed, Jay Brophy, Ken Calhoun, Tremain Mack, Jon Beason, Shaq Quarterman, Howard Clark, Matt Walters, Denzel Perryman, Quadtrine Hill, DJ Williams, Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen and many, many more. I just prefer players whose football IQs match or exceed their standard IQ. Its just my preference. I cringe when our players do dumb things on the field. I prefer players who show they understand the game and what's important on a given play. Watching the highlight video of this fellow Cooper Barkate is a revelation. As I said in another thread, while his QB is a Mensah, Barkate himself is a Mensa. His understanding of route running is precise. His ability to find the open area is uncanny. I am NOT saying he is another Reggie Wayne but he certainly has THOSE 2 skills that helped make Wayne an excellent WR. He also understands when he is about to be hit and prepares for the hit. That skill is mental, not physical. It requires preparation and understanding of where you are on the field and where your defenders are. His highlight reel features several contested grabs that are the kinds of plays necessary to sustain drives. All this does not even begin to address the chemistry he already has with Mensah. A team with smart players has an advantage over their opponents. I am glad to have him.

Joe R said:

I didn't see any resemblance there. Restrepo was very herky jerky in his route running. This guy is very smooth. Berrios was sommoth but not vuilt anything like this guy. Honestly, all of I could think of watching him was Reggie Wayne. The most recent comparison I could think of was Ahmmon Richards.

10-4 said:

He and Toney are going to make each other better by the day.

Slyweasle said:

That’s the only question I have … does Dawson have the mental capacity to scheme all these outstanding WR’s and RB’s in any and all of our 12 games coming in 2026-2027 ACC ship and CFP playoffs if we get that far ? Dawson to me is like Dr. Jeykel n Mr. Hyde at times , one monent he’s great and the next dumber than a rock ….