2027 4-Star WR Cade Cooper Is A Program Changer On And Off The Field
The Fighting Irish coaching staff scoured the country during the January contact period connecting with a tons of elite targets during in-home and school visits. After one of those visit to Malvern Prep from wide receiver coach Mike Brown, 2027 6-3 192-pound wide receiver Cade Cooper of Malvern (Pa.) was energized, and jumped on the road the next day heading to South Bend for an impromptu unofficial visit that led to a film session with Coach Brown and eventual offer that has the Penn prep star still raving according to Malvern Prep head coach Dave Guereira.
“He still raves about the Notre Dame trip,” Guereira told LL. “His talents, character and the way he was raised is well-suited to Notre Dame. He fits with the way the overall culture of academics and athletics are stressed. Part of it was Coach (Marcus) Freeman and wanting to be part of doing something special. He fell in love with it.”
Coach Guereira fell in love with the talented pass-catcher the first time he saw him on the gridiron in 7th grade at St. Thomas Catholic. He was taller than the other kids, but his movement made what can sometimes be a difficult projection process much easier.
“I remember seeing at St. Thomas in 7th grade,” Guereira said. “He was taller than all of the other kids and you have to project where a kid is going to end up as a junior. But, when I saw him move, he was like a baby deer running. He was so fluid and physical for his frame. I was super impressed.
“We play the hardest schedule in the state,” Guereira continued. “So, we need guys that physically and mentally strong in our program. Parents see us as a college and NFL factory, which we are, but we work really hard to find out about the families and character of the kids that we take. We don’t want talented kids that don’t fit our culture.”
Since that day, he’s still impressed every day with how the unquestioned leader of the Friars’ handles his business in the classroom, the wide receiver room, the community and in front of his teammates. He’s already the best wide receiver in the state, but the Friars are excited about what he’s going to bring to their defense in the fall.
“He’s so athletic and getting better, Guereira explained. “I’m impressed by his dedication to the craft of the game. He’s a sponge and wants to know everything from everybody. I’m excited for people to see him as a full-time safety this year. He’s the unquestioned leader of out team and he does it both ways. He leads by example and not afraid to say what needs to be said to his teammates when it’s needed. He’s the hardest worker in our program and that helps us as coaches tremendously.
“He works even harder off the field,” Guereira continued. “He’s a great student, and a great human being. He’s so honest and empathetic with his teammates and in the community.”
As the 4-star receiver’s recruitment speeds to the decision stage, Guereira remains ready when called upon by the family for his consultation and wisdom. He’s been through this process with plenty of top targets over the years and his involvement depends on the individual player.
“Cade and his family are doing a great job,” Guereira shared. “They know exactly what they want and he has a lot of great options. Whenever they ask me something, I give my honest assessment. The one thing I told him is to trust his gut. You’re the one that has to get up for 5 am workouts, so you better go where it feels right.”
But, this process is one that has him ecstatic about his athlete’s future and a bit somber about Malvern Prep’s future without him.
“I don’t want to think about it,” Guereira replied. “He means so much to me personally and I’m going to miss our relationship and what he stands for. This program is going to miss him a lot, because his impact on the coaches has been even greater. You have once in a lifetime talents, but the combination of talent and people at that level doesn’t happen often. That’s who he is.
“He helped the culture,” Guereira continued. “We don’t call them 50-50 balls anymore. We just say,” Cade has it.”
Cooper has a strong connection on the current Irish roster in 7 on 7 teammate and Notre Dame safety Joey O’Brien, that aids in the level of comfort he felt back in January, and will continue during his March 28th spring visit and return for his official visit June 12-14.
The Fighting Irish staff led by Mike Brown have done an incredible job making Cooper and his family feel prioritized, and that puts them right at the top amongst others like Penn State, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Wisconsin.
