• SVHS senior helped program to three straight state titles
At 6’ 5” and listed at 260 pounds, Cooper Lawson has gone by the moniker “Big Country” for most of his life. But the decision to be part of the Wyoming Cowboys’ early signing class on Wednesday December 4, was a choice he made when was was small.
“Ever since I was a little boy I wanted to play at Wyoming,” he said. So when they offered me, it was easy to say yes on my end. It’s pretty sweet.”
Lawson made it official as he joins the Pokes program under head coach Jay Sawvel.
Lawson received interest from several other schools from both the FCS and the Power-4 levels.
“A couple schools came out and watched me practice,” he said. “Idaho State, Idaho, Montana State, Montana and BYU; schools like that. I just felt like Wyoming was the right fit out of all of them and felt like I could grow there the best out of all those places.”
Lawson and his Star Valley Braves finished the 2024 campaign riding a 21-game winning streak and claimed their third straight Wyoming 3A state title in mid-November. It was done on the same surface where Lawson will now take his collegiate efforts in Laramie.
“By then, I had decided so it was pretty special to win my last game as a high-schooler on a field where I’ll be playing in college,” he said. “[It was special] just being with my boys who I’ve been with my whole life.”
He was a two-time all-state selection and also a two-time selection for the Casper Star-Tribune Super 25. He was one of four Star Valley players on this year’s list joining teammates Smith McClure, Grant Thomson and Bryson Nield.
His official visit came just over a week after winning that last title as the Wyoming Cowboys nearly pulled the upset of #12 Boise State in a 17-13 loss at War Memorial Stadium. Lawson enjoyed his time on the sidelines and met a few players who will now become teammates.
“It was definitely a cool experience,” he said. They take really good care of you. There was a kid from North Shore, Texas (wide receiver Deion Deblanc) who also committed this morning so it was cool to meet guys from all over the country who want to be part of this special team.”
