One of Nebraska's top recruits could have a tough decision on his hands in the next few days -- a full-ride scholarship to play college football or a six-figure contract to play minor league baseball.
Khiry Cooper of Shreveport, La., is a very gifted young man. He is a standout wide receiver and also is an outstanding center fielder for Calvary Baptist High School. His athletic efforts have led to him accepting a scholarship offer from Nebraska, and last month he was selected in the fifth round by the Anaheim Angels in major league baseball.
Cooper rejected a $200,000 offer by the Angels to play minor league ball, which leads many in the Nebraska football community to believe he'll be in the Huskers' locker room when fall practice begins on Aug. 3.
But as ESPN's Lee Corso would say -- not so fast my friends.
The Angels have until Aug. 15 to sign Cooper, who is one of two players among 10 the Angels drafted who have yet to sign a contract. Cooper has already rejected one offer from the team, but don't think the Angels won't sweeten the pot some in an effort to lure Cooper away from football and into the Angels organization.
Cooper is also expected to play baseball at Nebraska, and school officials who have talked to him have told the local media that they feel he's well aware of his situation and is going to stay at Nebraska. He has already taken summer courses at the school and worked out with some football players, as well as taken some batting practice in the Hawks Center.
Look for the Angels, between now and early August, to make another offer to Cooper and give him something to think about before he makes his final decision. If what coaches are telling the local media are correct, though, he'll be wearing the Huskers' colors instead of the Angels'.
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