Dalvin Cook joined the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League following the 2017 NFL Draft. Before going professional, the talented running back had a highly successful college football career at Florida State University, finishing as the all-time leading rusher of the Florida State Seminoles football team and was also named a unanimous All-American in 2016.
Who is Dalvin Cook?
Dalvin James Cook was born on August 10, 1995, in West Little River, Florida. He had his high school education at Miami Central Senior High School. As a two-sport high school athlete, Cook competed in track and field as well as football, though he didn’t join the football team until his sophomore year. The talented youngster was a part of Miami Central’s relay teams which won the 4 × 100 m and 4 × 400 m events at the 2013 FHSAA 3A Region 4.
In football, Dalvin Cook had a major highlight in his high school career – in senior year (2013) when he recorded 1,940 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns on 177 carries, and 3 interceptions. He led the Miami Central team to the school’s fourth consecutive Class 6A state championship final where they clinched their third state championship in 4 years. His outstanding performance earned him the 2013 Mr. Florida Football Award by the Florida Dairy Farmers Association. Cook finished his high school career with 4,267 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns for which he received All-USA Football Team, Second Team All-American, and All-State Class 6A first-team designations. He was also featured in the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game.
By the end of his high school career, Dalvin Cook was ranked as a five-star running back recruit and thus was highly sought by college recruiters. Before graduating from high school, Cook was initially committed to Clemson University, however, he switched to the University of Florida in April 2013. The talented running back switched allegiance again in January 2014 when he eventually settled for Florida State University.
David Cook finished his freshman season with 1,008 rushing yards, 8 rushing touchdowns, 22 receptions, and 203 receiving yards. In December 2014, he was named the MVP of the 2014 ACC Championship Game in which he had 177 rushing yards on 31 carries and one rushing touchdown. Cook continued in this top form into his sophomore season (2015) which he finished with 1,691 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions, 244 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.
In his junior season, David Cook had 1,765 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 33 receptions, 488 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. In December 2016, Cook announced his decision to forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. He capped his Florida State career with an epic 145 rushing yards and three receptions for 62 yards in the team’s 33-32 win over the Michigan Wolverines at the 2016 Orange Bowl. Cook was named the MVP of the game, bringing his 3-year college career to a 4,464 rushing yards finish. David Cook was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft as the 41st overall pick.
In his NFL debut against the New Orleans Saints, Dalvin Cook set a new Vikings’ rookie debut rushing record as he ran for 127 yards on 22 carries. However, his 2017 season was cut short after just 4 weeks as a result of a knee injury, bringing an abrupt end to what could have been a historic rookie season. Cook finished the season with 354 rushing yards having played only 4 games.
Family – Brother
Dalvin Cook was born to Varondria Burnett and James Cook. He was raised alongside 5 siblings, brothers Deandre and James Jr., and sisters Jamiya, Daneisha, and Jameisha. With just a year’s age difference between them, Dalvin Cook and his older brother Deandre are like two peas in a pod. Just like his famous younger brother, Deandre Burnett is also a star athlete. He played basketball at Carol City Middle School and Miami Central Senior High. In 2012, he was one of only 2 players from Florida to receive Parade All-American honors. He played college basketball at the University of Miami and after his redshirt freshman year, Deandre Burnett transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels basketball team of the University of Mississippi. He currently plays in the shooting guard position.
Who is His Girlfriend?
Just before Dalvin Cook joined the NFL, he was known to be in a relationship with longtime friend and high school sweetheart Jacquilla Morris. The two are said to have met as kids at Carol City Westview Middle School in Miami Gardens, Florida. Their friendship lingered even as they schooled together at Miami Central Senior High. In April 2017, Dalvin Cook announced that he was expecting his first child with Morris.
Height and Other Body Stats
Dalvin Cook stands at a height of 5 feet 10 inches. He sports an athletic physique with a bodyweight of 95 kg (210 lbs). On the field of play, the talented running back stands out for his top-end speed as well as great lower body strength which endows him with formidable balance. These physical traits coupled with pristine vision and patience make Dalvin Cook a terror to any opponent’s defense.
