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SALT LAKE CITY — A tidal wave hit the Salt Lake Valley on Wednesday with the announcement of local football star Cooper Bateman choosing to go out of state rather than remain at one of the schools closer to home.
Many players who leave the state to play college football have gone west to California, such as Stanley Havili, who chose USC a couple of years ago. John Martinez also chose USC and Isi Sofele opted for the Cal Bears. Havili, Sofele, Martinez, and Bateman are all Cottonwood products.
A few years before that, guys like Stuart Bradley from Highland and Ryon Bingham from Alta High School decided to play at Nebraska. Haloti Ngata from Highland went to Oregon and he has done pretty well for himself (among many others that I have yet to mention).
This year, Sione Houma from Highland will begin his career at Michigan and now Cottonwood quarterback Cooper Bateman has given a verbal commitment to play football at national powerhouse Alabama, and you know what, good for him. I hope he kills it. I am glad he made his decision for him.
In Amy Donaldson and Brandon Gurney's article in the Deseret News Cooper spoke of how he felt at home when he went on his visited the campus. He was blown away by his visit. His mother noticed how happy he was while there. How is that for underrated - he was happy there. Isn't that what it is all about?
What an exciting experience that awaits him. The Crimson Tide have a storied history and to be a part of that would be amazing.
I think it says a lot when kids from the state of Utah are getting looks all over the country. I am not sure that has always been the case. I have always known kids here in Utah can play, but maybe the rest of the country hasn't known that.
With the way kids from Utah are being recruited now, schools are aware how good the football is here. I have seen it from covering high school football in this state for the past seven years.
I know it is very cliche to say this, but kids are bigger, stronger, and faster. The football in this state is a joy to watch and Cooper Bateman falls into this category.
I remember this past season when Cottonwood was playing West Jordan and the Colts won on a Hail Mary. We worked hard to get the video so we could show it on SportsBeat Game Night. When we finally got it, we were all impressed - not just by the play itself, but with the poise, arm strength, and accuracy of Bateman. He threw that ball on a line almost 70 yards. Check out the play below.
Bateman received at least 50 offers to play college football all over the country. He passed for almost 2,500 yards, 26 TDs and 7 INTs.
I never thought I would say this, but perhaps the "Tide" for quarterbacks at Alabama is changing with Cooper Bateman going to play for Alabama. He is a pro-style quarterback that doesn't just manage games.
It will be fun to see what he will be able to do in the SEC. I am excited for him, I am glad he made his own decision on where he wanted to play.
