2025 Season ending interview with Cooper Kraus from Buena High School, Arizona

 

Name: Cooper Kraus

School/town: Buena High School

Sierra Vista, Arizona

Positions played: Inside Linebacker

Class: 2026

Height and Weight: 6’1”-215 lbs.

Jersey Number: 52

Awards won or earned

⭐️2025 Ed Doherty Medallion for best high school football player in Arizona

⭐️2025 National Midseason Defensive Player of the Year nomination by Sports News

⭐️2025 All Berserker Team

⭐️ 2025 Blue-Grey All-American LB West Team

⭐️2026 Offertunity Bowl Selection

⭐️National Player of the Week vote winner twice and Blue Collar Gem twice from Kevin Moses scouting

⭐️2023 AZ 5A First Team All-Region-Region Linebacker

⭐️2024 AZ 5A First Team All-Region Linebacker

⭐️First Team All Academic 2023 (4.0 GPA)

⭐️Second Team All Academic 2024 (3.66 GPA)

⭐️AZ 5A Southern Region Leading Tackler 2024

⭐️Buena Colts Defensive Skill Player of the Year 2023.

⭐️Buena Colts Defensive MVP 2024

⭐️2023 and 2024 Defense All Sports Sports Tucson All-Star Selection 5A/6A

⭐️3.5 Star Rating by Complete College Prospects

First Team All-State!

HUDL LINK: https://www.hudl.com/profile/18254830/Cooper-Kraus

Other sports played: Wrestling and Track

Please post a small recap of last season with something like a big game you had, something about a certain game, something from a bus ride to or from the game, or something that sticks out from a practice.

I think what sticks out was game one vs.vs. our rivals, Cienega. We had the lead in the 4th. A bad snap on a punt pinned us down inside our own 5-yard-yard line with a minute and minute and 20 left in the game. They had 4 downs to score. Sudden change. 4 downs, and I made all 4 tackles to win the game downs, game,and we won on a goal line stand at their house.

What were your feelings as you walked off the field for the last time as a member of the Buena Colts football team?

Hurt so bad. More than I could imagine. Lots of emotions. I have played with most my game, with most teammates, since we were 5 years old. Lost to a team I thought we should have beat. Our QB blew out his knee the week before. Injuries hurt us all year long. So lots of frustration at first before it hit me that was our last game. Lots of reflection on what we have done over the years as a group. Love my brothers and will always cherish our time as colts together.

What do you feel was the biggest moment of the 2025 season?

Pulling off the win in our last regular season game. We were down, and I got the game-winning interception to give us the ball back to get the go-ahead touchdown. That made us 7-3 and got us a home game, round one in the playoffs.

What will you miss the most about playing high school football?

My teammates and coaches. My teammates are my best friends. We have played ball our whole lives together. I will miss suiting up with them, grinding with them, and being with them. We have a strong bond, and I would do anything for them.

When we spoke before the season started, these were your goals.

Lead the region in tackles again, make it further in the playoffs as a team, make an all-state selection at linebacker, and be the regional defensive player of the year. How did you do in achieving those goals?

I lead the region in tackles.  I lead the entire state in tackles.  Region awards are being selected today, and we should find out tomorrow.  All state, probably in a couple of weeks.  I broke the Buena high school and state records in career tackles and single season record in tackles.  So not sure on the region honors and state honors just yet but should find out soon.  We didn’t make it further in the playoffs, made it to round one.  Last year we made the quarterfinals.  So I didn’t hit that goal, which was my number one goal for the year.  Wanted to win as a team more.

Do you consider the season a success or a failure? Explain

Success for sure.  Lots of adversity.  Lots of injuries that we had to have players step up and fill roles.  We lost to the number 2 and 4 teams in 5A and a 6A powerhouse.  So our 3 losses came from some of the best competition in the state.  Playing the toughest schedule in 5A and going 7-3 definitely say was a success and definitely played great competition every week on our schedule.  Which made us better all year long and help us develop more as individuals and as a team.

What mark do you feel your class will leave on the football program?

I think we will be remembered for a long time.  Most of us started as sophomores, and we went to the playoffs 3 years straight.  We had more wins as a senior class than any other class at our high school.  Hosted multiple playoff games, which was a first in over 40 plus years at Buena.  Currently, our senior class had a total of 80 offers to go play at the next level, which is the most the school has ever had, and we broke individual school records that will keep us in the halls of Buena for years and decades to come.  I think our work ethic will continue through our underclass men and continue to breed success 

What has been the best and toughest part of the recruiting process?

Best part is when a coach reaches out and absolutely loves my film and wants me to be a part of their program.  Toughest part is being seen and getting them to watch my film.  

Would you name some of the schools that you are hearing from?

I currently have 36 offers from D2 down to JUCO. But I have talked to hundreds more from all levels. More FCS and D2s are starting to reach out.

These are the schools that have offered me….

NAIA

ACU

OTTAWA (KS)

CULVER-STOCKTON
CAMULET ST JOSEPH
ST AMBROSE (verbal)
BETHEL COLLEGE
MOUNT MERCY
JUDSON UNIVERSITY
HASTINGS COLLEGE
BETHANY COLLEGE 
MONTANA STATE U NORTHERN
CLARKE UNIVERSITY 
GRACELAND UNIVERSITY 
MOUNT MARTY
MOURNINGSIDE

D2 
BLACK HILLS STATE


D3 
BUENA VISTA 
ST JOHN’S
LAKE FOREST
BELOIT 
CAPITAL 
KNOX

JUCO/PREP/Post Grad 
SALT RIVER
ATLANTIS
MINNESOTA CTC
SUSSEX
PIERCE COLLEGE
DE ANZA
NAPLES KNIGHTS
SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY
HOWARD HUSKIES 
EX PREP
PAPAGO PUMAS
Northeast Christian CC Bullies

When will you make your college decision?

Now that the season is wrapped up, I need to sit down with my parents and narrow it down.  Find a home.  So over the next couple of weeks I will be working on that.  Take some trips and figure out what the best fit is.  Every offer is a blessing, and I am considering all of them equally.  So got to figure out a lot of stuff in the coming weeks/months

What advice would you give to the incoming freshman class if you were asked?

Play the game because you love it. Lift. Get in the weight room and live in there. Do other sports and speed training.

What is the one play or game that you think you will never forget? Explain

Cienega goal line stand. Ironwood Ridge's game-winning Ridge's game-winning interception is up there. But the goal line stand was crazy. 4 plays to stop and made all 4. Think that is rare and will always be remembered.

What scares you?

I think not knowing yet where I am headed to play and go to school is nerve-racking.-racking.

Who are your role models?

Parents are number one. Coaches number 2.

What is your favorite sports TV show or movie?

The Program! Kill them all and let the paramedics sort them out!out! I also like when the Game Stands Tall and the replacements.

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