Zerrick Cooper will head to Los Angeles this weekend to compete in the Elite 11 Semifinals.
\nAlong with 29 of the nation\u2019s best quarterback prospects, he\u2019s gunning for a spot in the Elite 11 Finals, which are held in conjunction with The Opening in July.
\nCooper picked up his semifinals invitation last week during a phone conversation with ESPN\u2019s Trent Dilfer.
\n\u201cBasically, he wanted another chance to work me out and stuff like that. It\u2019d be a great experience for me to come out and work with some of the best quarterback coaches in the nation,\u201d Cooper told TheClemsonInsider earlier this week.
\nIn March, Cooper worked with Dilfer at The Opening in Atlanta, but missed out on the initial invite. Dilfer encouraged Cooper to attend the Charlotte event, but he opted not to make the near five-hour trip from his home in Jonesboro, Ga.
\nInvitation now in hand, Cooper is slated to work against Georgia commitment Jacob Eason, Ole Miss\u2019 Shea Patterson, Florida State\u2019s Malik Henry, South Carolina\u2019s Dwayne Haskins and his buddy Jawon Pass, one of three uncommitted prospects to pick up an L.A. invite.
\n\u201cIt means a lot, being able to go and compete with the other top quarterbacks in the nation. It just means a lot,\u201d Cooper said. \u201cIt\u2019s a great accomplishment that I\u2019ve achieved.\u201d
\nThe four-star Clemson pledge said his mission isn\u2019t over yet.
\n\u201cI\u2019m trying to go out there and win the whole thing, showcase my talents,\u201d he said.
\nOn Saturday, Cooper will take the ACT. He\u2019ll visit Clemson at some point next week for the Dabo Swinney Football Camp, but he\u2019s just not exactly sure which session it will be.
\nCooper, who took a visit to Mississippi State earlier this spring, hasn\u2019t scheduled any other visits.
\n\u201cRight now, it\u2019s hard for me to say,\u201d he said. \u201cRight now, I\u2019m just working out with my team and stuff like that.\u201d
\nAlmost a full-year removed from ACL surgery, Cooper said his knee is holding up just fine.
\n\u201cThe knee is doing great,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been working out, day in and day out. I feel great.\u201d
\nOn Thursday, Cooper will head to the University of Georgia with his team for a 7-on-7 competition. On Wednesday, they\u2019ll go to Locust Grove.<\/p>\n