Juniors cooking up an early exit to NFL?
USC coaches are preparing for life without their two Cooks.
Spurrier didn’t mention any names, although a source told me tonight that all indications are that tight end Jared Cook and strong safety Emanuel Cook will be NFL-bound after the bowl game.
This is not all that surprising. When I asked both Cooks recently about the draft, both said they planned to weigh all their options after the season.
Compare those responses to those of cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and linebacker Eric Norwood, each of whom said he would be back. Norwood plans to petition the underclassmen advisory committee for an evaluation, but said he has every intention of playing his senior year and fulfilling a promise he made to his mom to get his degree.
Of course, it should be noted that the Cooks (no relation) are among the highest-rated junior prospects at their positions, per ESPN draftnik Mel Kiper Jr.
Urban Meyer called Jared Cook a first-rounder, for what that’s worth. USC tight ends coach Ray Rychleski said if Cook does indeed project as a first-rounder, he should go.
Most of the projections I found of E-Cook had the Gamecocks’ leading tackler (two years running) going in the second round.
So if the Cooks leave, where does that leave the Gamecocks?
The loss of E-Cook would be the bigger blow: The guy seems to be in on every tackle. Darian Stewart could slide from spur to strong safety, but the Gamecocks then would have to find a spur (not sure Dion LeCorn is the answer there).
J-Cook is a beast. How else to describe a 6-5, 240-pounder who ran a 4.37 in the 40 two spring ago? But USC has a beast-in-the-making in sophomore tight end Weslye Saunders, who is not as fast as Cook but has big-play ability.
There is still nearly two months before juniors have to declare for the draft, so nothing is final with the Cooks.
But with four juniors eyeing the NFL, you had to figure a couple would leave early. And if you’re talking about the first or second rounds, it’s hard to blame them.
7 Comments to “Juniors cooking up an early exit to NFL?”
Leave a Reply
USC football beat writer Joe Person has covered the Gamecocks since the start of the 2002 season. He's been on the college football beat since 1993. 
As easy as a season ending injury can occur, if they are projected as being either a first or second round draft choice, they should go. Best of luck to these fine young men with any decision they should make.
Tally Ho Says:
November 25th, 2008 at 7:19 am
As easy as a season ending injury can occur, if they are projected as being either a first or second round draft choice, they should go. Best of luck to these fine young men with any decision they should make.
I AGREE 100%
I agree Jared Cook has measurables that would have NFL scouts drooling over the possibilities. But a quick review of J Cook’s career would leave them at just that, possibilities. And to describe him as a beast is a bit of an over statement. How many plays has J Cook been directly involved in that bring instant memories? Auburn two years ago? I agree he has the “potential” but it certainly is not proven.
“Most of the projections I found of E-Cook had the Gamecocks’ leading tackler (two years running) going in the second round.”
Where do you see these projections? I have read a few and haven’t found any mentioning E.Cook.
As a Gamecock fan, I really wish these guys would stay another year and help this team demonstrate just how good they can be with those two talented players and team leaders.
On the other hand, if I was a relative of the players, my advice would be to take the money and run. I imagine that the players will be more attentive to the advice of their family than that of their fans.
Whatever they decide, I want to thank them for three years of hard work and determined effort. I can only hope that we are fortunate enough to continue to recruit students of their caliber. The only other thing I would ask of them is to BEAT CLEMSON!!!!!!!!!!!!
hate to see them go, but both of these guys have played well for carolina. both have earned a chance to play in the nfl. proud of both of them for representing the university in a good way, on and off the field. and does emanual cook remind any of you guys of a healthy bob sanders? i gotta feeling he’s gonna keep the hard hits coming for many more years. can’t wait to watch.
As history has shown the average career in the NFL is less than 5 seasons,I say graduate first after all you were given a free education why not take full advantage of all that you have been given, you never know what may happen and if you are worried about an injury go and get an insurance policy thats based on the value of your draft projection chances are if your projected as a second or third round pick this season you will be an even higher pick next season and you will have your education to fall back on if needed just take a look around at all of the ex NFL players that are in financial trouble. What ever you decide to do I want to say thank you for coming to S.C. we have enjoyed watching you play.