A defensive end and tight end hybrid for Winterset, Cooper Johnston Cooper Johnston 6'4" | 200 lbs | DL/TE Winterset | 2027 IA was one of the more impactful players on both sides of the ball for the Huskies. Using his length and athleticism at both positions, it’s easy to see Johnston playing either position at the next level.

As a defensive end, Johnston uses his length to create separation between he and offensive linemen, shedding blocks to get to the quarterback. Even if he can’t reach the QB, he uses timing to reach up and bat passes down.

As a tight end, that same length and timing comes into play, as Johnston can go up and get a 50-50 ball over a defensive back. Too tall for DBs and too fast for linebackers, Johnston can take advantage of both matchups.

Johnston contributed on both sides of the ball for Wintset in 2025. The junior caught four passes for 30 yards and chipped in a two-point conversion on offense. Defensively, he produced 19.5 tackles, nine of which were solo stops. Johnston also picked up a pair of tackles for loss. During his 11th-grade highlight video, his present production and excitement for his upside shine through. On the first clip, Johnston breaks inside coming off the edge of the 3-4 front. He combines power and speed in quickly getting into the quarterback’s face before batting down a pass. Johnston’s height and long arms present an obstacle for signal callers looking for passing lanes. He leans on those traits as a receiver, where he can go up over shorter defensive backs and snag the ball. Johnston’s frame is projectable with plenty of room to fill out in a college strength program. There’s a lot of potential here to dream on for coaches at the next level.