UGA holds slight lead for five-star running back. FSU, others involved

MIAMI -- James Cook is soaking up the uncommitted life. He’s remained rather quiet since backing off his pledge to Florida State a few months ago. Recently, his words have been few and his travel has been limited. The last part, however, is about to change.

“Well, I’m going to take officials to Georgia, Florida State, Auburn, Louisville and USC,” Cook said on Thursday.

A five-star prospect, Cook is still working to set dates for his visits but expects to have that done in short order. What he is sure about, however, is that one school among the group stands out, be it slightly, from the pack.

A pre-official visit favorite is in place.

“Georgia’s still the leader right now,” Cook said. “It’s by a little because I have to see the other schools and kind of figure out what fits me, you know?”

Cook, whose older brother Dalvin became a star at FSU before being drafted this year, was committed to Florida State for some time before backing away from his pledge. And though it once seemed that he would shy away from the Seminoles in the future, it seems the in-state program remains very much in play.

“With Florida State, it could go either way right now,” Cook said. “I go back and forth. I could really go either way.:

Louisville has a unique way of applying pressure, as a pair of his Miami Central High School teammates are committed to the Cardinals. The familiarity is part of the reason Cook has taken a shine to the program and why it remains in the mix to land his commitment.

“I have teammates committed to Louisville and they’re always on me about going there.” Cook said. “They just tell me to come there start right away.”

USC and Auburn remain in the mix to land Cook and could jump to the forefront with effective official visits. For now, however, the two programs are the member of his final five with the most work left to do.

Cook is ranked as the No. 3 running back and the No. 16 overall prospect in the class of 2018.