Cook wants loyalty, trust and a family in college

LAKE BUENA VISTA — There was a buzz around the Marriot World Center Saturday as the media members awaited the arrival of Florida running back commitment Dalvin Cook (5-11, 192 Miami, FL Central) to the Under Armour All-American game.

Cook is regarded as one of the best players in the country, something he hopes his game will prove this week during practices leading up to Thursday’s game.

“I want to come out here and have fun really,” Cook said. “These are the top guys around the country so really I just want to show my skills off.”

The Miami Central star is an early enrollee and he signed his financial aid agreement paperwork with Florida, Florida State and Miami two weeks which meant the schools could call and visit as much as they wanted.

“It was a crazy two weeks when I signed my FAA,” Cook said. “I had fun and enjoyed it because only one time in your life will people want you like that. I enjoyed the moment. Miami actually came by the most they came by every day with a different coach and a different message.”

There was some talk that Florida wouldn’t get an in-home visit with Cook but the Gators did, however, get the last in-home visit of Cook’s recruitment.

“Coach (Will) Muschamp did his in-home with me after the state game,” Cook said. “He tells me the words like trust and loyalty. Those words stuck out to me because Coach Muschamp, he’s a great person and I have a great relationship with him. He was telling me to stick with him until they found an offensive coordinator and they did.”

When Kurt Roper was hired this past Thursday, Cook started doing homework on the Duke offensive coordinator  and he’s been impressed by what he has seen so far.

“I’ve been doing my research on Coach Roper,” Cook said. “I’ve learned his offense is an up-tempo offense. He tries to get it going early and he tries to get his playmakers the ball. I can see myself fitting into that offense because that’s the type of offense I want to play in.”

For Cook he sees himself as a missing piece for the Gators offense and he believes that Florida needs speed.

“I watched Florida a couple years back when they had Percy (Harvin), (Chris) Rainey and (Jeff) Demps and they changed Florida,” Cook said. “That’s the type of program is and they need speed guys and a home run guy like myself.”

January 2 is coming and that’s announcement day for Cook but he already has his decision made and he’s ready to tell everyone.

“I’m very excited about making my decision,” Cook said. “I’m ready to tell the world and I feel 100% with my decision. I picked the school I did was because Miami Central taught me about loyalty, trust and family and the school that I’m going to pick has all of that.”

Cook is a guy that will influence a lot of prospects including another Gators commit in Ermon Lane.

“Ermon Lane is my best friend,” Cook said. “We want to play ball at the next level together so I think my decision will affect Lane some.”

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

7 COMMENTS

  1. Cook describing the school he chose using the same words Muschamp used on his in-home visit is a good sign. It shows whatever Champ discussed with him actually stuck with him these last few weeks. I really hope he becomes a Gator

  2. Sounds promising. There is no question that he can make the biggest impact with our program. FSU and UM’S offenses are not going to make quantum leaps next year. If we move up to 50, we will win 5-6 more games next year than this year.