Outside the Huddle and Blitz are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2026 season.
Our highest preseason honor, the 8th annual First Eleven, profiles the top players (in the mind of Outside the Huddle) entering the fall.
No. 11: RB/LB Cooper Craig, senior, Bluffton
When it comes to being a menace on a football field, Craig fits the bill. He runs the ball with authority and plays with a physicality that makes you forget he is all of 5-foot-9. He is very good at making guys miss, but also can shed off would-be tacklers with his upper body strength.
A year ago, Craig rushed for 787 yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged almost nine yards per rush and eclipsed the 100-yard mark on four different occasions. He also was a sound receiver out of the backfield, bringing in 20 catches for 253 yards and three scores.
From his linebacker position, Craig led the Tigers last year in tackles for loss (13) and sacks (seven). He had 44 tackles to go with a pair of fumble recoveries, two passed defended and a forced fumble.
Craig also serves as Bluffton’s primary returner. As a junior, he averaged 26 yards per kick return and 11 yards per punt return.
Menace. Beast. Whatever you want to call him, Craig is a great high school football player.
COACH’S QUOTE ON COOPER CRAIG
“Cooper Craig is the rare football player that is truly an impact on all three phases of the game. He’s been a two-time all-conference running back, an IFCA Junior All-State linebacker and is a threat each time he touches the ball in the return game. He is a football player, and we are lucky to have him”– Bluffton coach Brent Kunkel
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