File photo by Mike Buhler Hayti offensive lineman William Cooper (right, seen talking to Hayti coach David Gilmore during the Indians' district-clinching victory over St. Vincent in November) is headed to Kansas State University to play college football after signing with the Big 12 school Wednesday. [Click to enlarge]

The all-state offensive lineman, who turns 18 today, signed a national letter of intent to play college football at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. this fall.

Kansas State competes in the Big 12 Conference and has built itself into one of the nation's better Division 1 Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).

Cooper wasn't the only Bootheel player to sign at a Division 1 FCS school. Caruthersville standout Rashad Fields is headed to Arkansas State University in Jonesboro this fall after signing Wednesday.

In going to K-State, Cooper follows in the footsteps of past Hayti stars William Moore and Charles Gaines, who both played in the Big 12 for Missouri this season.

"It's exciting to have a member of our football team go join a Big 12 school such as K-State," Hayti coach David Gilmore said. "That opens up a lot of doors for our returning players and shows our student athletes that they can compete at the next level with the proper work ethic and taking care of business in the classroom."

Cooper visited KSU twice, the last time less than two weeks ago.

"Kansas State was the best place for me. The whole visit went very well," Cooper was quoted as saying on KSU's athletics web site.

Said Gilmore: "K-State was the first school in here that took note of William. He visited campus twice and fell in love with it. Coach Ron Prince followed through with the promise of a scholarship offer after William's junior year. We're very proud to be associated with the K-State football family."

As a senior, Cooper led Hayti to an 11-1 record and a SEMO South Conference championship, earning all-conference and all-region honors in the process and being named to the Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State First Team in Class 1.

Cooper is also ranked first in his class according to the KSU athletics web site.

"William's just an overall, all-around great kid," Gilmore said. "This is a big opportunity for him and his family to continue playing football at the next level and also get a college education paid for."

Meanwhile, Fields is headed to ASU after being recruited by Ole Miss, Missouri and Kansas.

Fields was an all-region and all-state selection while playing at Caruthersville, helping the Tigers win district titles in 2005 and 2006 while playing on both sides of the ball.

However, he is expected to play defensive back for Arkansas State.

File photo by Mike Buhler Caruthersville's Rashad Fields (left, seen tackling Kennett's Demetrius Childress) signed a letter of intent Wednesday to play college football at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark. Fields was also recruited by Mississippi, Missouri and Kansas according to ASU's athletic web site. [Click to enlarge]

According to ASU's athletic web site, Fields racked up 10 tackles, picked off a pass and returned a fumble for a touchdown against Sikeston, and finished with 96 tackles and four picks as a junior in 2006.