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Name: Akeem Cooperwood
Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6'7" / 325 lbs.
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Rating: 247Sports: Three star Rivals: Not ranked ESPN: Three star
Cooperwood was the Gamecocks second offensive line commit in the 2016 class and committed to South Carolina over the summer. He also received offers from East Carolina and Ohio. He was primarily recruited by Ellis Johnson and will have three years of eligibility at USC as a junior college transfer.
Strengths: Size and strength. At 6-7, he will rival Mason Zandi as the tallest offensive lineman on the Gamecocks roster, and has little more bulk to his frame than the 6-8 Zandi. Cooperwood's stint in JUCO gave him some time to grow into his gigantic frame and allowed him to come in his own and develop the necessary skill to compliment his size. He's a proven pass blocker and has decent quickness for a 330 pound man.
Weaknesses: Footwork and fitness. Cooperwood is known to get a little sloppy at times with his technique and rely too much on his size to overpower defenders. Also, he needs to be on watch with his weight and fitness this summer. With a number of holes marked with uncertainty up front for the Gamecocks offense, Cooperwood has an opportunity to start immediately, and will need to maximize his offseason when he arrives on campus.
Overall: Cooperwood was rated as the #10 JUCO Offensive tackle and will likely play on the right side of the line for the Gamecocks.