Cooney is a fun athlete to watch. You only have to wait about 5 seconds into the tape to see why he is run this article. The 6’3″ LB is able to drop the hammer on ball carriers that sends them instantly into the dirt. Carson is so strong and uses it to run his feet through c0ntact when he delivers those hits. The range that Carson plays with allows him to bring that hard hitting power from sideline to sideline. Cooney is a stout inside linebacker that you can rely on to diagnose quickly, chase down, and deliver hits that ball carriers remember. Give the tape a look for yourself.

The offers are starting to roll in for the Class of 2025 linebacker from Oswego. Standing at 6’3 and weighing 21o lbs, Cooney is a natural LB who can do it all. In the run game, Cooney is extremely quick to the ball. He can diagnose blocking schemes and get downhill with urgency to meet the ball carrier in the hole. Cooney is smooth with his pass drops, as he can fly to his spot and protect the middle of the field. Cooney is also a sure-handed open field tackler. Once he gets locked in the the ball carrier, the odds are Cooney is going to make the play. Heading into his junior campaign, be on the lookout for Cooney.

Came into summer camp szn: offerless

Now holds offers from: Illinois, Central Michigan

Summary: Another Land of Lincoln 2025er to blow up early and impressively to P5 status, Oswego Panther 6’3, 210 lb. LB Carson Cooney Carson Cooney 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Oswego | 2025 State IL was another standout from the Fighting Illini Showcase camp in early June and used a combination of size, athletic numbers, and mobility to impress the Illini staff and earn a massive first offer from his home state B1G team. Central Michigan followed shortly after, and in an impressive crop of 2025 Illinois defenders, Cooney is going to be competing hard for the coveted LB1 spot. As a sophomore varsity ‘backer in 2022, Cooney showed off a thumping playstyle (see my recent ’25 IL hardest hitters features), a long, lean, but strong frame that can add a ton more good weight that I’m sure was noticed in-person at camp, closing speed, the ability to diagnose and find the football through traffic and sift through blocking attempts, sideline-to-sideline range, and a ton of natural strength and comfortability as a tackler. There’s a ton going for him and he’s bound for many more offers going forward. Oswego has put out a couple of highly-touted prospects in recent cycles, and Cooney is showing the stuff to be the best of any of ’em. It all started this summer!

One of the states of Illinois’ biggest early stock risers from the beginning of this summer camp szn, Oswego Panther 6’3, 210 lb. LB Carson Cooney Carson Cooney 6'3" | 205 lbs | LB Oswego | 2025 State IL is fresh off his first college football offer from the home state Illini, and his prowess in contact on tape was definitely a plus for the Illinois staff’s evaluation of the rising junior. Cooney does a great job with his pad level and bringing his hips through a tackle, and when combined with his size/strength, sends ball carriers backward and off their feet like a 300 lb. lineman has run through them. I also love how he stays engaged and wrapped up with his opponent through the hit, which allows his full weight to finish onto the ball carrier to create as much pain and force as possible. Each and every tackle he puts his all into the contact, and it pays off in exciting and fun-to-watch fashion on tape. Check him and his hits out here –> http://www.hudl.com/v/2Jqjsc