Star Valley’s Cooper Lawson is hard at work in his second season as a member of the Wyoming Cowboys after coming off a redshirt season in 2025. He talked to SVI about making the transition from high school into a collegiate program.
“I’m putting in the hard work on the football field and getting school done and it’s been quite enjoyable,” he said. “Going from being the big guy in Star Valley to being next to some of these guys was pretty crazy that first year. But now we’re all about the same size I eat meals throughout the day and drink about a gallon and a half of water a day and I hit 300 pounds this past winter.”
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Lawson spoke about working with team nutritionists and weight staff on the process.
“Gaining the right kind of weight is difficult,” he added. “When I got there I gained about ten pounds but then I lost it right away with all the football. So a lot of chicken and rice and talking nutrition with the weight staff and learning the process has been a challenge. But once we got it figured out it’s gone pretty smooth since then.”
He also compared the difference of the game and some of his more enjoyable experiences as a redshirt freshman.
“It was really important for men to redshirt and get caught up with the speed of the college game,” he said. “Seeing the game day atmosphere and the people coming out from all around Wyoming has been great. The stadium at Colorado was really cool and the Josh Allen retirement game were great experiences.”
The Cowboys staggered to the finish line last year on offense where they were one of the lowest scoring teams in the country. But with returners like Samual “Tote” Harris, Deion DeBlanc and quarterback Tyler Hughes, there is hope for significant improvement.
“I think we have a great shot this year to be good,” Lawson replied. “The message is to just get better every day. Being able to take things off the video every day after practice and learn and get better and go 1-0 every day. I’m looking for a spot on the bus and get closer to playing. It’s crazy how fast and athletic they are. It’s cool to watch. We have a lot of people on the offense who are stepping up. They put me in awe with the strength and power and speed they have. I think we are going to be improved on offense and I think we will have a great defense again this year.”
Prepping for the beginning of the season is hard work.
“Fall camp is a harder time on your body. You eat, sleep and breath football. Get to the facility about 6:30 and then walkthroughs and meetings and then practice then positional meetings after lunch. Then another walk through and practice until about 8:30. But it’s a good time to get dialed in to get ready to play through all those weeks of the season.”
The first game is coming soon and is one of the bigger season-openers in recent memory as Wyoming travels to Fort Collins to face the colorado state rams, now in the Pac-12 conference.
“We’re always ready to play those guys,” Lawson added. “The fact that its the first game definitely lights a fire under you. Everyone is practicing around the country so what are you going to do to reach your goals. You want to come out of there with a win.”
Lawson’s goals are to do what he can to help the team.
“Whatever spot I end up having I’ll try and bloom where I’m planted,” he answered. “I’ll do my best every day. My goal is to get as close to the field as I can every day. Whatever I can do to get there. Give it all on the field and watch the film and get better. I want to be able to look back at it and say I did everything I could to set myself up for the next year.”
Cooper credits his time within the Star Valley program for much of his opportunities.
“Beyond football, they instill in you a lot of great traits to be good man and be good to others,” he explained. “Work hard and the coaches notice when you’re paying attention in meetings and it doesn’t go unnoticed. How to be a better man and take my job seriously and do my best no matter the outcome.”
For now, in addition to his work in uniform, Lawson is majoring in marketing with a minor in finance.
Follow the Wyoming Cowboys on The Spur throughout southwest Wyoming this season.
