Story from the Killeen Daily Herald...
Cooper Edmiston did not have much time to rest after competing in the eighth annual Heart of Texas FCA Victory Bowl football game Saturday.
The Gatesville linebacker played both offense and defense in the contest for the Red Team, which lost 7-6 to the Blue Team.
Edmiston had to immediately head to the University of Tulsa Sunday, where he will play for the Golden Hurricane, as he is getting a head start by taking summer classes which began Monday.
“It was definitely fun and a good experience,” Edmiston said of the Victory Bowl. “It was something I felt was important to do not really for football, but for the fellowship and all of that. And then to represent Gatesville in a good way — showing the hard work and what Gatesville is all about.
“It was a good deal.”
Edmiston is taking one class during Tulsa’s Summer 1 session, and he will take another class during Summer 2 before moving to a regular schedule in the fall.
While he is hitting the ground running, he said it has been an easier transition than he thought it would be.
“I’m sure it’s going to pick up here in the next couple of weeks,” Edmiston said. “But I’m liking everything so far. My roommate and all the others guys are all cool, and I’m meeting new friends, so it’s all good.”
Two-a-day workouts will begin in August, but Edmiston and his teammates cannot sit back and relax till then. They are already engaging in weight training and cardio work.
“We kind of started workouts today,” Edmiston said Wednesday. “We start the full workouts and everything tomorrow, so tomorrow will be how it is for the rest of the summer.”
Edmiston is coming off a decorated prep career that aided him in inking a collegiate scholarship with the Golden Hurricane.
Last season, the Hornets reached the regional round of the Class 4A postseason, their first playoff appearance since qualifying for the quarterfinals in 2012.
As a team captain this past fall, Edmiston led the Black and Gold at middle linebacker, where he racked up a team-high 107 total tackles — seven for a loss — with one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble forced during the regular season. He also caught 17 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns offensively.
Edmiston has an option to redshirt his first year at Tulsa, but that decision will not come until the fall when he is able to get a better feel and feedback from the coaching staff.
“I’m just looking to work hard, impress the coaches and show them what I can do,” Edmiston said. “Whether or not I’m going to get on the field this year or have a head start on next year, I’m just going to go out there and work hard every day.”
Edmiston would rather suit up and compete as a true freshman, but he knows the benefits of a redshirt season. Mainly, it would allow him to take more courses toward his master’s degree during his senior year of eligibility.
But regardless of how and when he gets on the field, Edmiston has two goals in mind — take care of business in the classroom and help improve the Golden Hurricane football program.
That process for him has already begun.
Cooper Edmiston did not have much time to rest after competing in the eighth annual Heart of Texas FCA Victory Bowl football game Saturday.
The Gatesville linebacker played both offense and defense in the contest for the Red Team, which lost 7-6 to the Blue Team.
Edmiston had to immediately head to the University of Tulsa Sunday, where he will play for the Golden Hurricane, as he is getting a head start by taking summer classes which began Monday.
“It was definitely fun and a good experience,” Edmiston said of the Victory Bowl. “It was something I felt was important to do not really for football, but for the fellowship and all of that. And then to represent Gatesville in a good way — showing the hard work and what Gatesville is all about.
“It was a good deal.”
Edmiston is taking one class during Tulsa’s Summer 1 session, and he will take another class during Summer 2 before moving to a regular schedule in the fall.
While he is hitting the ground running, he said it has been an easier transition than he thought it would be.
“I’m sure it’s going to pick up here in the next couple of weeks,” Edmiston said. “But I’m liking everything so far. My roommate and all the others guys are all cool, and I’m meeting new friends, so it’s all good.”
Two-a-day workouts will begin in August, but Edmiston and his teammates cannot sit back and relax till then. They are already engaging in weight training and cardio work.
“We kind of started workouts today,” Edmiston said Wednesday. “We start the full workouts and everything tomorrow, so tomorrow will be how it is for the rest of the summer.”
Edmiston is coming off a decorated prep career that aided him in inking a collegiate scholarship with the Golden Hurricane.
Last season, the Hornets reached the regional round of the Class 4A postseason, their first playoff appearance since qualifying for the quarterfinals in 2012.
As a team captain this past fall, Edmiston led the Black and Gold at middle linebacker, where he racked up a team-high 107 total tackles — seven for a loss — with one sack, three pass breakups and a fumble forced during the regular season. He also caught 17 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns offensively.
Edmiston has an option to redshirt his first year at Tulsa, but that decision will not come until the fall when he is able to get a better feel and feedback from the coaching staff.
“I’m just looking to work hard, impress the coaches and show them what I can do,” Edmiston said. “Whether or not I’m going to get on the field this year or have a head start on next year, I’m just going to go out there and work hard every day.”
Edmiston would rather suit up and compete as a true freshman, but he knows the benefits of a redshirt season. Mainly, it would allow him to take more courses toward his master’s degree during his senior year of eligibility.
But regardless of how and when he gets on the field, Edmiston has two goals in mind — take care of business in the classroom and help improve the Golden Hurricane football program.
That process for him has already begun.
