Cam Cook, the standout running back for Jacksonville State, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal following a remarkable season in which he finished as the leading rusher in college football for 2025. Cook made his announcement through a heartfelt farewell message on Instagram.
This past season, Cook emerged as one of the breakout stars for the Gamecocks, contributing significantly to the team”s overall record of 9-5 and helping them reach the Conference USA championship game. Although Jacksonville State fell short with a 19-15 loss, they ended the season positively by defeating Troy 17-13 in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, a game in which Cook did not participate.
Throughout 13 games, Cook amassed an impressive 1,659 rushing yards and scored 16 touchdowns on 295 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. In addition to his rushing success, he showcased his versatility with 286 receiving yards on 30 receptions. He led the FBS in rushing yards, attempts, and total yards from scrimmage, earning him the title of Conference USA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. Cook also received first-team all-conference honors and was recognized as an AP All-American. His outstanding performance made him a semifinalist for the prestigious Doak Walker Award.
Cook”s dominance was evident throughout the season, as he led the conference in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and attempts, while also ranking second in total touchdowns. This achievement marks the second consecutive year that a player from Jacksonville State received the C-USA Player of the Year award, following Tyler Huff, who claimed the honor the previous season after transferring from Furman.
Before joining Jacksonville State, Cook spent two seasons at TCU, where he appeared in 21 games and led the team with 460 rushing yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. A highly regarded four-star recruit from Round Rock, Texas, Cook”s high school career concluded with 2,899 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging an astounding 8.4 yards per carry over three seasons.
As a 5-foot-11, 200-pound junior, Cook is anticipated to be one of the top running backs available in the transfer portal. Although the NCAA transfer portal officially opens on January 2, players are allowed to announce their intentions beforehand but cannot engage with other teams until the portal window opens. This transfer window will remain open for 15 days, concluding on January 16.
