WVU RB Cam Cook Highlights Career Growth, Journey Back to Big 12

Cook comes to WVU as the reigning national rushing yards leader from Jacksonville State, but his path to Morgantown was not a direct one.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:07pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a college football running back in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in deep crimson, forest green, and royal blue colors, conveying the player's versatility and the challenges he has overcome to reach this point in his career.Cam Cook's winding path to West Virginia University has forged a versatile, confident running back ready to make an impact in the Big 12.Morgantown Today

Cam Cook, a senior running back, has joined the West Virginia University football team after leading the nation in rushing yards last season at Jacksonville State. Cook's journey to Morgantown was not a straight one, as he previously played at TCU before stepping down to the FCS level for a year. Now, he brings a newfound versatility and confidence to the Mountaineers' offense.

Why it matters

Cook's addition to the WVU roster is a major offseason signing for head coach Rich Rodriguez, as the Mountaineers look to build on their success in the Big 12 Conference. Cook's experience at multiple levels of college football and his ability to play various roles in the offense could provide a significant boost to WVU's ground game.

The details

Cook started his collegiate career at TCU in 2023 and 2024, even facing WVU as the Mountaineers won 24-21 in Fort Worth. After stepping down to the FCS level at Jacksonville State for the 2025 season, Cook led the nation in rushing yards with 1,659. He now brings that production and a newfound versatility to Morgantown, having played in the slot, in motion, and out of the backfield at Jacksonville State.

  • Cook played at TCU in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
  • Cook led the nation in rushing yards with 1,659 at Jacksonville State in 2025.
  • WVU is set to face TCU on the road on Oct. 24, 2026, with several of Cook's former teammates now starting for the Horned Frogs.

The players

Cam Cook

A senior running back who joined the West Virginia University football team after leading the nation in rushing yards last season at Jacksonville State.

Rich Rodriguez

The head coach of the West Virginia University football team, who made Cook's addition to the roster a major offseason signing.

TCU

The university where Cook started his collegiate career in 2023 and 2024 before stepping down to the FCS level.

Jacksonville State

The FCS program where Cook played in 2025, leading the nation in rushing yards with 1,659.

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What they’re saying

“I think I'm a bigger bag. I'm faster, smarter. I know what's going on all sides of the field, not just what the running back is doing, but how the o-line is blocking and where they're trying to get to. So that helps me out a lot.”

— Cam Cook, Running Back

“I didn't envision myself going anywhere, like leaving. So like, just that journey really changed me a lot and the stuff that I did go through like led me to this led me to being here. So I'd say just the whole process brought me here.”

— Cam Cook, Running Back

“It definitely helped me build my confidence. I would say just being able to go out there and play however I wanted to play fast and then show that I have multiple styles of gameplay. You can't just put me in one box and think you could like shut me off that way.”

— Cam Cook, Running Back

“Soon as they made the schedule, I seen it and like all of the guys that I was with at TCU are starting now. It was real good to see that. It's marked on mine, but I feel like we just gotta go get it as a team. Like we go as a team, we'll be all right.”

— Cam Cook, Running Back

What’s next

WVU is set to face TCU on the road on Oct. 24, 2026, providing Cook with a chance to play against several of his former teammates who are now starters for the Horned Frogs.

The takeaway

Cam Cook's journey to Morgantown has been anything but straightforward, but his experience at multiple levels of college football and his newfound versatility could make him a valuable asset for the Mountaineers as they look to build on their success in the Big 12 Conference.