Running Back, Jasper High School

Words by Micah Harrison | Images by Justin Hunter

For most young athletes, the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level remains a distant dream. Even among those who hope to continue their careers in college, only a fraction receive an offer. Zion Coger, a junior at Jasper High School, has already earned ten offers from football programs across the country as he begins the new season—his first as the Vikings’ starting running back.

Zion began playing in Jasper’s park and rec program at age five before moving through a variety of positions. By eighth grade, he was starting on the varsity team as a safety. During his ninth- and tenth-grade seasons, he started at cornerback while also seeing time in the running back rotation.

This year, Zion will retain some defensive duties on specific plays, but he will finally get his opportunity to start at the coveted running back position.

Taking on such an important role at a young age came with its own challenges. Moving from middle school competition to high school athletics required a significant adjustment.

“The speed of the game is different,” he says. “Your steps matter more.”

Zion has continued to improve and hone his skills season after season. His team’s record has also improved each year, progressing from 1-9 during his first season to 7-3 the following year and 8-2 last season.

This year will bring new challenges as Jasper moves from Class 6A to Class 5A and joins a new region. Following the team’s 8-2 finish in 2025, Jasper was ousted from the playoffs in the first round by a margin of only three points. The team will return this season with a chip on its shoulder and hopes of making a deeper postseason run.

“We want to do everything that we practice and transition that into the games,” Zion says. “And just have a better season than we did last year.”

In addition to the skills he has developed, Zion has a natural aptitude for the game. His father, Warren Coger, was a running back in high school and played slot receiver in college at the University of West Alabama. Like his father, Zion plans to continue his football career after graduating from high school.

With offers from Division I programs including LSU, Alabama, Oregon, and reigning college football champion Indiana, Zion has no shortage of options. For now, he is keeping an open mind, paying attention to which programs show the strongest interest, and searching for the place that feels like the right fit.

Despite the growing attention from coaches and recruiters around the country, his vision for the future remains straightforward: “Go to college. Keep playing football. Get an education.”

Before he makes the decision of where to study and play, however, Zion still has playing time at Jasper ahead of him. As he steps into the starting running back role, he will have the opportunity to help lead the Vikings deeper into the postseason while continuing to show college programs what he can do.

Wherever football eventually takes him, his focus remains on making the most of the opportunity in front of him. 78