Reuniting with star quarterback Darian Mensah, Cooper Barkate brings explosive playmaking to Coral Gables as the Miami Hurricanes' revamped offense aims to shatter an over 20-year title drought.
Miami, Fla. – Following a National Championship defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Miami Hurricanes made sure it wouldn’t be the last of high-level competitive football in Coral Gables. The program then signed 13 players from the transfer portal, including All-Atlantic Coast Conference quarterback Darian Mensah. He was coming off a career season with the Duke Blue Devils: completing 334 of 500 passes, 66.8 completion percentage, throwing for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns, including six interceptions, in 14 games, all starts.
Mensah led the program to its first ACC Football Championship since 1989. After seeking bigger and better things in South Florida, wide receiver and teammate Cooper Barkate followed. He was the Blue Devils’ leading receiver, catching 72 passes for 1,106 yards in 14 games, all starts, and earned All-ACC Second Team honors.
The Hurricanes have two wide receivers who finished with at least 1,000 receiving yards last season: Barkate and local rising star Malachi Toney. The talent among the position significantly increased–projected to be one of the nation’s best offenses.
According to On3’s ranking of transfer portal moves that could shape teams for the upcoming season, Barkate to the Hurricanes finished sixth. He was a couple of spots behind former Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway transferring to the Baylor Bears.
Barkate wasn’t the most talked-about wide receiver, even in the ACC, but the 23-year-old will have an opportunity to showcase his skill set on a bigger platform. Last season, he carved out 2.33 yards per route run, according to PFF College. Barkate can catch deep passes, break through tackles, and has the acceleration to gain extra yardage or reach the end zone.
The chemistry between him and Mensah is expected to impact the Hurricanes’ success for the upcoming season. Given the shared experience of winning an ACC football title, it can help end a current 22-year drought in Coral Gables. However, the main goal is to return to the National Championship game and finish with a different result.
Sharing the wide receiver room with Barkate and Toney are South Carolina transfer Vandrevius Jacobs, West Virginia transfer Cam Vaughn, plus in-house sophomores Daylyn Upshaw and Joshua Moore.
The Hurricanes’ revamped roster will be looking to live up to the new winning standard established from last season.
In the spring exhibition game, Barkate made impressive passes, including a touchdown. Fall camp is still a couple of months away, but he’s made a strong first impression in front of ‘The U’s’ fanbase.
- Several Miami Hurricanes baseball players earned All-ACC honors, including a few first-timers.
- The Miami Hurricanes basketball program is reportedly scheduled to open the upcoming season against an in-state rival.
- Coach Mario Cristobal believes the Miami Hurricanes should face an in-state rival every year.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
