Cooper Smith is only a freshman but is already starting at Fellowship Christian. The fundamentally sound 6’1″ 240 lbs. blocker has earned the trust of the staff, and rightfully so. Smith has really impressed this season, and last week’s performance earned him a spot on the Bully Squad.
The freshman was voted OL of the Week in Georgia, which really encapsulates the excellent start to his high school career.
“I’ve had a really strong start to my freshman season, playing every snap on varsity and competing against older, more experienced players. It’s been a great experience, and I feel like I’ve gotten better every week,” he said.
Each week, we review film sent from offensive linemen across the state, and Smith’s performance against Mt. Pisgah last week demonstrated a young blocker with excellent fundamentals. Smith plays with good leverage and demonstrates excellent body control while engaged, anchoring the defender and then driving them back. Truly, the freshman blocks well beyond his years.
“The biggest adjustments to varsity football have been the speed of the game, the level of competition, and going against bigger and better athletes,” Smith said. “I’ve learned how important technique and leverage are, especially when you’re competing against older guys.”
Two of Smith’s attributes that stand out are his physical nature and aggression at the point of attack. And while fundamentals certainly play a role, some of that comes from his disposition on the field.
“My mindset on the field is to do my job and finish blocks. I try to not stress about hype behind players and just keep my head down and do my job,” Smith said.
Fellowship Christian is 4-3 this season and has a matchup against King’s Ridge this Friday, then Walker and Mount Bethel the following weeks. Each game should be extremely favorable for the Paladins, but for Smith, he’s just staying focused, improving each week, and preparing for the Private playoffs.
“For the rest of the season, my goals are to keep improving as an offensive lineman and contributing to our team’s playoff run,” he said.
You can expect to see Smith on the Bully Squad in the coming years, and for more recruiting news and updates on Fellowship Christian plus programs and athletes across the state, be sure to follow @RecruitGeorgia on Twitter/X.
