Aidan Cooper '25 Recruiting Profile

Hello, my name is Aidan. I am currently 16 years old and a Junior at Butler High School in Charlotte, NC, where I play football and rugby. 

You probably looked at my athletic history and started thinking, “did he just start playing football?” And, well...yes, I’m going into my 2nd year of ever playing football. I have always played Rugby because I have always been big, loved hitting and always competitive. Hitting comes second nature to me. It wasn’t until my now football coach saw me walking the school halls and stopped me. It’s been a wrap since then! I have always been a football fan, but it’s nothing like being on the field, grinding it out play by play.

I spend all the time I can get on and off the field honing in on my craft, practicing hand work, foot work, spending hours looking at film and conditioning for what I call “preparing for war”.

I believe, coming from a rugby background, this gives me an advantage over other prospects. In rugby, there are no breaks except for a 10 min half time. I was on the field for a total of 80 min of constant tackling and running. No breaks to rest or for water, just pure raging. I believe this gave me the endurance I have now. In my position in rugby, I was a forward and lifter. So, I was constantly lifting guys in the air for the ball which is why playing O-line has been natural to me. In the scrum, I was the main pusher (equivalent to the qb sneak). I have used what I know and adapted it to this sport that I have come to love.

When I’m on the field playing left or right tackle, I see my position as a dictatorship. I tell these DE’s where they are going to go, not the other way around. It’s my job to keep my QB clean and I get dirty. I see it as, he has a bounty on him every game.  Which means that there is a bounty on me first and it’s my job to make sure it goes unclaimed.

My biggest inspiration includes Jordan Mailata, who is LT for the Eagles. He is is also a Pacific Islander, like myself. He was also a rugby turned football player, like myself, who never even touched a football until playing in the pros.

I want to pursue football in college because I know I have what it takes and I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. I love this sport, I’m competitive, hungry and ready to elevate my play for your team.

Thank you for your time.

Aidan