From the moment he first picked up a football at just six years old, Noah Cooper knew the game would be a major part of his life. Now a sophomore at Crater High School in Central Point and a proud member of the Class of 2027, Noah has been developing his skills as a quarterback since he was seven, combining a love for the game with relentless hard work and leadership.

Noah thrives on the opportunity to lead his team on the field, cherishing the feeling of being someone his teammates can look up to. For him, leadership and being smart with the football are two of the most important qualities a quarterback can have. “Being able to read defenses, knowing where you’re going with the ball, and being coachable really shows coaches that you’re someone they want around,” Noah explains. His football IQ has been shaped by studying some of the game’s best, regularly watching film of Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert to build a well-rounded style.

When he’s not on the football field, Noah stays busy. He runs track, spends hours in the weight room, and enjoys playing video games in his downtime. Always committed to improvement, Noah plans to attend several camps this summer, including the QB Legacy Camp, Northwest Showcase, SOU Camp, and X1 Showcase. Among them, he looks forward most to Southern Oregon University’s camp because of the high level of competition he experienced there.

Short-term, Noah’s biggest goal is to start on varsity as a junior. Long-term, he has his sights set on becoming an all-state quarterback in his league. His journey hasn’t always been easy. Smaller in stature compared to some of his peers, Noah had to prove himself on the field, but it never took long — once people saw him throw, opinions changed quickly. That ability to overcome adversity, fueled by outworking his competition, has been a defining part of his story.

Music, prayer with teammates, and the support of important figures like his freshman coach, Shawn Grady, have played key roles in Noah’s success. Grady, in particular, has helped Noah elevate his abilities and sharpen his quarterback skills.

Noah also knows the importance of resilience. During a game against Mountain View, he fractured his wrist, a setback that required patience, rehab, and a lot of focused wrist strengthening to return to full strength. His offseason focus is intense: lifting in the weight room, conditioning, sprint work, and building timing with his receivers.

One of Noah’s favorite memories so far was a thrilling performance against South Eugene, where he threw three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lead a comeback. Moments like that fuel his drive to keep improving and chasing bigger goals.

For Noah Cooper, the formula is simple: “Always outwork all your competition, and you’ll get to the top.”