Dalvin Cook recruit scouting report: 2014 running back a combo of size, speed

Dalvin Cook is a running back recruit out of Miami (Fla.) Central High School. He measures in at 5’11, 190 pounds, and has been clocked at 4.55 in the 40-yard dash. He is rated as a four-star prospect on Rivals, 247 Sports, and Scout. Rivals pegs Cook as the 22nd-best running back available in the class of 2014, while 247 Sports lists him as sixth-best and Scout has him as 10th.

Cook committed to Clemson just after his sophomore year on Jun. 13, 2012. He still has plenty of unofficial and official visits to take, so the Tigers will still have to battle other schools for his services. Cook holds reported offers from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Illinois, Louisville, Alabama, Georgia, USC, and LSU.

Bud Elliott, National Recruiting Analyst: In person, Cook looks bigger than 190 pounds. He is a solidly-built back, and after some time in a college weight program, should be capable of carrying the football 200 times in a college season if called to do so. For his size, Cook has very good speed. He is at his best when running in a straight line with minimal cuts in the backfield or the hole. Cook’s moves aren’t bad, but he is more fast than quick, so it behooves him to get going as soon as he can.

Cook’s highlight doesn’t show him catching the football too much, and having seen him in person a few times, he did not make an impression as a great or poor receiver.

Though a bit unconventional of a role for a bigger running back, Cook could do well as a kick returner because of his speed and straight-line style.

Cook is an excellent running back recruit, and should blossom into a multi-year starter at the major college level. How much playing time he receives early on will likely depend on the depth chart and his ability to pick up the offensive scheme, including the pass protection assignments.

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