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The next generation: James Cook shines at Underclassmen Challenge

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James Cook
James Cook

ATLANTA – From an early age, James Cook learned the ropes of football recruiting by watching his superstar brother go through it.

Florida State running back Dalvin Cook had his ups and downs through the process, committing to different schools, feeling some pressure close to National Signing Day and finally figuring out Florida State was the best place for him.

James Cook looks to be steering clear of drama.

The 2018 running back has already committed to the Seminoles, and why not? His brother has thrived in Tallahassee, should be a Heisman Trophy contender this season and almost definitely will be one of the first running backs taken in the NFL Draft if all falls into place. Plus, James Cook felt it fit him perfectly as well.

The Miami Central standout, who took home MVP honors Sunday at the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge Presented by Under Armour inside the Georgia Dome, has learned some early lessons from his brother that are now invaluable .

“I learned a lot,” Cook said. “I just learned the mistakes he made and I correct it.

“He said the difference is in college you have to grow up. You have to be a man. He said you have to be tougher, stronger and bigger. The little stuff he does I try to correct it and make it better for me.”

There could be pressure in being Dalvin Cook’s little brother, but the James Cook said that’s not the case. More than anything, he doesn’t worry about expectations and what he can’t handle. Instead, Cook just puts in the work. And a whole lot of it.

“It’s a great feeling that I have something others want to have,” Cook said. “It’s great. It’s a great feeling. There’s no pressure. It’s just that you have to ignore it and work.”

Cook certainly put in work on Sunday. No linebacker had any success dealing with him during one-on-ones as he broke free time and again, kicked his speed into another gear and disappeared from defenders. Some tried to grab, others tried to catch up in a foot race. None had much luck.

Not only does the Miami Central standout have tremendous speed, but Cook also has excellent hands. He’s a playmaker and really could become the complete package. He has a big name to live up to and Cook seems to be doing just fine upholding it.

“He’s a little bit more physically developed than his brother at the same stage, a little thicker. Dalvin got a lot of his power and explosiveness junior to senior year as far as his muscle tone and filling out,” Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell said.

“He could be bigger than Dalvin but I’m not sure he could be better. How do you get better than him, but he’s a really talented kid. He just toyed with people, lined up outside, lined up as a running back and really couldn’t be checked. He catches the ball really well and he has that extra gear that his brother does too to separate.”

There are so many similarities but also one unique difference between the Cook brothers. Dalvin originally committed to Clemson, then went with Florida and ended up picking Florida State at the Under Armour All-America Game. It was a long, long process.

Not so much for James. The 2018 standout loves Florida State, loves his brother’s success in Tallahassee and made the decision this offseason to end it. He couldn’t be happier.

“It’s a family atmosphere there,” Cook said. “I just love it.”

Cook was the running back MVP at the Underclassmen Challenge. Five-star Trevor Lawrence took home the quarterback award. At wide receiver, it was LSU commit Devonta Jason. The offensive line MVP went to 2019 center Clay Webb from Oxford, Ala. Jackson (Tenn.) Northside’s Greg Emerson won defensive line MVP. Greensboro (N.C.) Page’s Alan Tisdale earned linebacker MVP, and Kansas City (Mo.) Park Hill’s Devin Haney won MVP at defensive back.

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