"Built for the Grind, Cut From a Different Cloth"

Cooper Kraus

@cooperkraus52

6'1, 215lbs, 2026

Buena HS, AR

Committed to Morningside University

From the moment the official visit ended, everything clicked. Morningside University stopped feeling like just another offer and started feeling like home. The conversations with the head coach and defensive coordinator made it clear this was a championship-standard program, one that competes for rings every year and consistently produces All-Americans. Defensively, the fit felt natural. The scheme matched his strengths, the vision aligned with his goals, and the bond among the players stood out. That brotherhood mattered. Great coaches, strong facilities, a beautiful campus, and a locker room built on trust made the decision clear.

The path to this moment was built long before the commitment. The work behind the scenes shaped everything. Early mornings starting at 5 a.m. for team conditioning. Long practices in the heat. Extra field work when most people were done for the day. Nights that ended in the weight room, sometimes five hours at a time, lifting not just to build strength but to clear his head and stay locked in. Falling in love with the process became the foundation. The weight room added the size, strength, and speed needed to compete at a higher level. Film study became essential, learning opponents, studying blocking schemes, and understanding how to defeat blocks to get to the ball. Hours of film, countless reps, all driven by a love for the game.

Adversity was part of the journey. The last two seasons were played through injury. A separated shoulder limited half of junior year. A torn hamstring lingered throughout the following season. Pain became fuel. Instead of backing down, he kept pushing forward. Recruiting brought its own challenges. Offers disappeared as transfer players entered the picture and doubt crept in. There were moments when it felt like the door might close completely. The portal changed the landscape, especially for high school players, and navigating those highs and lows tested everything. Still, he stayed the course.

Faith provided steadiness when things felt uncertain. Trusting that God was present through every step gave peace and confidence that everything would work out the way it was meant to. That belief kept him grounded and focused during the hardest stretches of the process.

Family support never wavered. They were there through the lows and the big decisions, offering guidance and belief when it mattered most. Having a father who played college football brought valuable perspective and understanding, helping navigate both the grind and the recruiting process with clarity.

Gratitude runs deep. Family, coaches, and teammates laid the foundation. The social media community played a huge role as well. Reposts, shares, and support helped his film reach college coaches who might not have seen it otherwise. That exposure mattered. The support from people who believed, shared, and pushed his name forward helped turn a dream into reality.

Committing to Morningside means the chance to compete at the highest level of the NAIA, to chase championships year after year, and to be part of something bigger than himself. Beyond football, it represents preparation for life.

The criminal justice program at Morningside sets the path for a future career once the cleats are hung up.

What Morningside is getting is a linebacker who brings effort every single day, a teammate who treats the locker room like family, and a competitor who gives heart and soul to the game. He understands he will arrive as the low man, ready to learn the system and grow under older linebackers. The long-term goal is to earn his way onto the field and work toward becoming an All-American.

For those still chasing the dream, the message is: "Play because you love the game. Do the extra work. Post your progress. Send your film relentlessly." One hundred times a day if that’s what it takes. Do not stop until someone sees you.

Gratitude closes this chapter. The support from social media, especially on X, played a massive role. The reposts, encouragement, and belief created real opportunities. Shoutouts go to Kevin Moses, Mark Gibson, the Big Fella, Top Fives, LB Viking, and others for recognition along the way. Coach Freddie Patrick’s wisdom helped guide the process. The list is long, and the appreciation is real. This journey was never walked alone.

This commitment brings a physical, battle-tested linebacker into a championship environment. Playing through injury built resilience and toughness that translate directly to the next level. His understanding of preparation, film study, and strength development positions him to contribute within a disciplined defensive system while pushing the standard daily.

Moving forward, expect a steady climb. As he absorbs the scheme and adjusts to the college game, his motor, mentality, and love for the process will continue to separate him. With time, health, and consistency, he is poised to be a defender who grows into a reliable anchor, competing at a high level while helping sustain a winning culture.