Cam Cook embracing expectations after leading the nation in rushing

There won’t be any catching opponents by surprise this season. After leading the nation with 1,659 rushing yards at Jacksonville State a year ago, West Virginia running back Cam Cook understands exactly what comes with that accomplishment. Defensive coordinators know who he is. They’ve watched the film. Every game plan will start with trying to slow him down. Cook wouldn’t have it any other way. “Really, to me, something I want to prove is just, last year I wasn’t on nobody’s radar. And I went and did whatever I did,” Cook said on the 3 Guys Before the Game podcast. “This year, I’m on everybody’s radar. I want to be able to do the same thing. Not even the same thing, but maybe even do more.” There is more to prove Last season, Cook rushed for 16 touchdowns, averaged 5.6 yards per carry and became the first Jacksonville State player in 20 years to rush for at least 100 yards in seven straight games. His production made him one of the most productive running backs in college football and put him squarely in the national spotlight. Now comes the part Cook is looking forward to. Instead of surprising defenses, Cook expects to see extra attention every Saturday. “Basically, with the target on my back, what can I go do now? I want people to see that. Because the great ones are like, ‘Oh yeah, come here, bring it.'” It’s the type of mentality West Virginia hoped it was adding when Cook transferred to Morgantown. More than just talent Cook believes he’s entering this season as a better player. He said he’s currently the heaviest he’s ever been, checking in around 203 pounds, while also recording the fastest speeds of his career during offseason workouts thanks to West Virginia’s GPS tracking. The physical changes are only part of it. Looking back at his freshman season at TCU, Cook admitted he leaned almost entirely on athletic ability. Three years later, he approaches the position much differently. “Way, way smarter,” Cook said. “As a freshman, you’re basically still in high school trying to run the ball. You think you can run around everybody. You think you could just go out there and be better than everybody just off of pure talent. “But it’s more than that to the game.” Now, Cook is constantly processing defensive fronts, linebacker movement, safety alignment and pass protection responsibilities before the ball is even snapped. That experience, combined with his physical development, has him believing his best football is still ahead. Ready for the spotlight Cook knows expectations come with production. Leading the nation in rushing means every opponent will spend the week preparing for him, and every big performance will only reinforce that attention. Rather than viewing that as added pressure, he sees it as another opportunity to prove himself. Talk about it with West Virginia fans on The Blue Lot SUBSCRIBE today to stay up on the latest on Mountaineer sports and recruiting Get all of our WVU videos on YouTube by subscribing to the WVSports.com Channel Follow us on Twitter: @WVSportsDotCom, @rivalskeenan Like us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok