COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – “Cooper!” could be heard across the field at Veterans Park during the annual State 7-on-7 Tournament. Former Dallas Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten, now the head coach at Liberty Christian in Argyle, was yelling instructions to his son, Cooper.

Having a father-son coach-player duo in high school football is fairly common, but having a future NFL Hall-of-Famer on the sidelines is a little more rare.

“It’s a unique perspective,” Jason Witten said. “I mean, so many years playing and now being on the other side of it, you know it’s been, I’m very fortunate, you know, the game’s done a lot for me in my life. And so to be able to pour back into the next generation has been incredible. And to be here, you know, I mean Texas is the best high school football in the country. And so this is the best of the best and great setup down here in College Station.”

Witten put up a Hall of Fame career in his 17 years in the NFL. He’s the all-time receiving yards leader for a storied franchise, but maybe even more than his impact on the NFL is his impact now at the high school level.

“It’s been incredible, coaching my sons,” Witten said. “What an opportunity to be able to be a part of it and to use the game of football. It’s meant so much to me and to see my kids find their passion and love and the game of football and kind of carve their own path, and so it’s been really special. To be able to have a front row seat to that, and you know, as good as players they are, they’re better people. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Witten’s son CJ recently graduated, and Cooper is entering his junior season.

“It’s pretty special getting to be coached by him with all the experience he has in the NFL and college, so he’s been able to help me a lot and elevate my game,” Cooper Witten said.

Cooper is a highly sought-after linebacker recruit in the 2027 class with offers from Tennessee, Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M, just to name a few.

“He needs to make this decision on what’s best for him, and so he’s blessed to have a lot of opportunities to some great programs,” Jason Witten said. “And so now you just need to build those relationships and whatever he decides, you know, his mom and I will support him wholeheartedly.”

The Aggies hope to be in the mix on recruiting Cooper.

“Yeah, I like A&M a lot,” Cooper said. “They’re defensive coordinator, Coach Bateman, he’s a great coach, great guy to talk to. I really think he could develop me and make me into the best player I could be.”

Whether it’s Texas A&M or somewhere else, Cooper said this time next year, he wants to make his commitment. And before then, the Wittens have a chance to win their third straight TAPPS State Championship at Liberty Christian.

Liberty Christian 2027 LB @CooperWitten_, son of Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten, showing off his offensive skillset at state 7-on-7 (plus an interception) pic.twitter.com/5kwzypttaY

— Tyler Shaw (@TylerShawSports) June 28, 2025

“I’m reminded of why I fell in love with the game this level,” Jason Witten said. “It’s the purest that you’re gonna find… Don’t get too complex. This is not the Dallas Cowboys. It’s not Pro Football. Keep it really simple. But really challenge them. The standard doesn’t change, and keep those high standards.”

This fall will be Jason Witten’s fifth season coaching high school. He’ll be eligible for the NFL Hall of Fame next year.,