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South Carolina WR Pharoh Cooper heading to NFL, his father says

South Carolina junior wide receiver Pharoh Cooper is going to the NFL draft.

His father told The State that Cooper would be playing his final game for the Gamecocks on Saturday against Clemson.

“He definitely appreciates the opportunity to play for South Carolina, and we as parents appreciate the opportunity they gave him,” Glen Cooper told the paper. He also said Pharoh didn't want to risk an injury and hurt his draft stock in 2016.

Cooper has 62 catches for 887 yards and seven touchdowns in 2015. His per-catch averages are down from 2014, but that's likely because he's been the focal point for defenses on an inconsistent South Carolina offense. He had 69 catches for 1,136 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014.

South Carolina finished 2014 7-6 and beat Miami in the Independence Bowl. This season, the Gamecocks are 3-8 and will finish last in the SEC East.

Cooper, listed at 5-11, 207, is a likely early-to-mid pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2013 and the No. 9 recruit in the state of North Carolina according to Rivals.

For more South Carolina news, visit GamecockCentral.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!