"Hammer Time in the Trenches: The Relentless Wrecking Force with a Magnetic Motor"

Cooper Kraus

@cooperkraus52

6’1, 210lbs, Class of 2026

Buena HS, AZ

Cooper is a dynamic, fierce inside linebacker with instincts that hit like lightning and a motor that never stops. Watching him play is like unleashing a storm, explosive through gaps, violent at the point of attack, and drawn to the football like a magnet to metal. He’s a one-man wrecking crew who lives in backfields and punishes anything that dares to run in his direction. Whether it’s tracking down ball carriers, blowing up linemen, or locking in on coverage responsibilities, Cooper brings violence with purpose. He reads and reacts in a flash, closes gaps like a missile, and sets the tone with every snap. Coaches should know every time he steps onto the field he brings maximum effort, relentless disruption, and a player built to dominate every down.

In just 10 games this past season, many of which he didn’t finish due to running clocks, Cooper had 93 total tackles, including 15 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. He also broke up 7 passes and had 9 quarterback hurries, all while leading the entire 5A Southern region in total stops. He was named First Team All-Region for the second year in a row and was crowned Buena’s Defensive MVP, proving he wasn’t just productive, he was vital. His biggest improvement uacame in size, speed, and coverage ability, improving both man and zone technique to become a true all-situation linebacker. Fueled by the best season in school history in over four decades, including back-to-back home playoff games and a state quarterfinal run, Cooper’s drive is only getting hotter. He’s building muscle, sharpening reads, and spending extra hours in the weight room, on the track, and in the film room. His offseason mission is to build on what he's already done, and leave no doubt.

What sets Cooper apart isn’t just his stats or power; it’s his IQ and field vision. He’s been studying the game since he was five, and now, as a seasoned vet in the middle, he diagnoses plays like a coach. Pre-snap, he reads alignments, tracks guard movement, and sets his triangle read like clockwork. He’s got that rare gift of seeing it all, reading backs and lines simultaneously, and reacting before plays even fully develop. Even when he can’t make the tackle himself, he’ll explode through his gap, create chaos, and set up his teammates for the clean-up. That selfless, gritty mentality combined with next-level recognition makes him one of the most complete linebackers you’ll find at the high school level.

He’s fueled by loyalty and love for his brothers in blue. These are the same teammates he’s played with since childhood, and that bond pushes him to go harder, longer, and tougher. He’s not just chasing stats, but fighting for his team. And when facing adversity, Cooper stands up, lines up, and attacks the next play. Always forward. Always hungry. His vision for the future is wide open; he holds six current offers (three JUCOs and three NAIA, including Arizona Christian, Ottawa, and Calumet) and is hearing daily from programs at every level. He knows his name is rising and his window is opening, and he’s working overtime to kick it wide open.

Cooper is confident he can play at the FBS or FCS level and has the family lineage to back it up; his father, uncle, granddad, and great-uncle all played D1 football. But he’s open to wherever he finds the right fit. He wants a true football family, a team that grinds, sacrifices, and fights for one another. That’s where he’ll thrive. And he’s willing to earn every snap, every rep, and every opportunity to make a difference.

I assess that Cooper’s mix of raw toughness, next-level intelligence, and relentless pursuit makes him a plug-and-play linebacker at the next level. He can command a defense, lead from the inside out, and deliver impact plays across all phases. His ability to disrupt both the run and pass game without ever taking a play off will instantly elevate any program’s defensive identity.

Expect Cooper’s name to keep buzzing through recruiting circles. As he adds size and speed, his ceiling gets higher, and his tape gets nastier. He’s the kind of guy you build your defense around. His future is written in grit, effort, and explosion, and whichever college lands him is getting more than just a linebacker. They’re getting a war-ready warrior with instincts like steel and the fire to change a game. Stay tuned for one last monster season from this young star.