WVU Football landed one of the top players in the transfer portal on Tuesday, securing a commitment from Cam Cook, the nation’s leading rusher in 2025. Read more: Cam Cook poised to make immediate impact for WVU.
Making it official on January 6, Cook is leaving Jacksonville State to head up to the Mountain State, where he will play for former Gamecock head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Cook is regarded as a three-star prospect in the transfer portal, according to 247Sports. However, other outlets have him as a four-star, noting Cook as the highest-rated player transferring to West Virginia.
High floor, even higher ceiling
Cook spent 2025 with the Gamecocks, where he proved to the whole country that he is one of the top running backs in the game. That’s evident in his 1,659 rushing yards, making him the nation’s leading rusher.
He also tallied 16 touchdowns, showing he has no issue in finding the endzone at a consistent rate. No Mountaineer this past season had over five touchdowns. That goes for all running backs and receivers.
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Standing at 5’11 and 200 pounds, Cook is the ideal candidate to be a workhorse back in Rodriguez’s run-heavy scheme. Last year, he was near the top in attempts with 295. He has the ability to break a long run on first down or get physical on third down and get the needed yardage.
He’s at his best when he is running east-to-west, though. That’s where he did most of the damage with Jacksonville State last season. He has elite speed to go along with high-level vision that allows him to get to the outside and find the open holes.
Cook pairs that with a burst that enables him to get to the second level, where more often or not, he can’t be stopped once that happens. His longest rush of the season was 73 yards.
Now paired with HC Rich Rodriguez
Cook demonstrated what he can do when given the opportunity, which he proved in 2025. The Gamecocks fed him the rock time and time again, to which he didn’t disappoint. Now with the Mountaineers, where one would expect Rodriguez to bolster the line in the portal, Cook should have more opportunities to use his speed and vision to lead the nation in rushing once again.
Despite never playing for Rodriguez, it makes sense how this will be a match made in heaven. Cook has shown he can be patient on the inside runs before finding a hole and breaking loose. He is more than capable in bouncing it to the outside and using his speed to get by defenders.
No matter what type of role Rodriguez will put him in, there is no doubt Cook will excel in it. With the running back room depleted from the transfer portal, Cook will step in and immediately change the narrative within that group.
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There’s no doubt Rodriguez will continue to add more running backs through the portal. However, Cook will lead the way regardless of who else joins the roster. The incoming senior could revive the ground-and-pound style Rodriguez showcased while coaching the once electric Steve Slaton.
With constant injuries and inconsistent offensive line production, the Mountaineers could never truly get the run game going this past season. Rodriguez knew something had to change, especially with Jahiem White opting to enter the transfer portal. With Cook now on the roster, he will be able to bring back the dominant run play that fans came to expect in a Rodriguez offense.
A major step in the right direction
Last season was a year to forget for many fans. Opponents often outclassed and outmatched WVU. With injuries to key players, it was clear to see the Mountaineers didn’t have the manpower to consistently compete in the Big 12.
However, with the addition of Cook, Rodriguez, and the coaching staff are starting to seriously change that. The moment he steps on the field in Morgantown, Cook will turn this once lifeless offense into one that can compete with anyone.
He might just be one player, but the impact the former four-star recruit will make in a West Virginia jersey could be enormous.
There is no question that with the addition of Cook, the Mountaineers are heading in the right direction. Time will tell, but one thing is for certain: Rodriguez has his star running back.
