"The Relentless Hammer: Cooper Kraus is a One-Man Wrecking Crew "

Co-Player of the Week

Cooper Kraus

@cooperkraus52

6’1, 215lbs | Class of 2026

Buena HS (AZ)

Fresh off his recognition as last week’s Blue-Collar Gem, Cooper Kraus raised the bar again with a defensive showcase that left no doubt that this 2026 linebacker is a force of nature. Against Skyline, Cooper had 19 tackles (12 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack in a 52–20 victory, validating himself as everything you want from a tone-setter in the middle. His relentless motor, football IQ, and physical edge made him nearly impossible to stop, and he delivered blow after blow that defined the night.

Preparation has always been part of his DNA. Cooper credits countless hours of film study with giving him the edge by recognizing formations, dissecting tendencies by down and distance, and making pre-snap checks to adjust on the fly. That preparation met production under the lights, where he used his triangle reads to diagnose plays quickly, track ball carriers, and close gaps with authority. Twice in the opening quarter, Cooper blasted through the gap and dropped the back with bone-rattling force, instantly setting the tempo and making sure the tone of the game was clear that it was going to be a long night for Skyline.

While Kraus dominated individually, he’s the first to point to his teammates as the backbone of his success. Their execution gave him the freedom to scrape, plug holes, and punish cutback lanes. “Vision is everything at linebacker,” he says, and he played with it all night, flying sideline to sideline, hunting anything in his path.

What makes Cooper even more special is how grounded he remains amidst the rising buzz. With offers rolling in and his stock soaring, he’s staying locked in on the here and now, his senior year, his lifelong teammates, and the push toward a state title run. “We definitely play for each other,” he shares. “My season goals are to win, go further in the playoffs, and make that run for state.”

Moving forward, Cooper isn’t shy about what to expect. “I plan on dominating every game with 100% effort every play. Hustle. Big hits all night long.” With Buena facing one of the toughest schedules in 5A, Cooper embraces the challenge. Week in and week out, he welcomes the grind, promising every opponent that stepping onto the field with Buena means preparing for a four-quarter dogfight.

Beyond the tackles and highlight hits, this season holds extra meaning. For the first time, Cooper shares the field with his brother Jax. The two have pushed each other through countless extra lifts, speed sessions, and plyometrics in the offseason, and now they’re side by side, feeding off each other’s energy under the Friday night lights. “Having Jax next to me is special,” Cooper says. “He pushes me, and I push him. We are all brothers out there, but having my own flesh and blood beside me makes it even better.”

To opponents, he leaves this message: “If you have the ball, number 52 is coming for you.” Cooper is relentless, ruthless, and rising fast, a linebacker with the fire, instincts, and drive to change a game every time he steps on the field.