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Connor Cook, QB
School:
Michigan State |
Conference: BIG10
College Experience: Senior |
Hometown: Hinckley, OH
Height/Weight: 6-4 / 217 lbs.
Projected Ranking
Overall Position Proj. Rnd.
39 4 1-2
Player Overview
After redshirting in 2011 and serving as a backup in 2012, Cook went 12-1 in 2013 and leaves Michigan State with a 34-4 record that includes a 23-2 mark in Big Ten play. He was 2-0 in the Big Ten championship game.
Cook, who turned 23 in January, might have been a top 20 pick if he declared early for the 2015 NFL Draft, but instead returned to East Lansing for his senior year and helped lead Michigan State into the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Cook declared his ailing shoulder "100 percent" but went 19 of 39 with 210 yards and two interceptions against Alabama on New Year's Eve.
Michigan State and Cook claim an MRI revealed the shoulder wouldn't require surgery. NFL teams will investigate intensively. He wore a sleeve against Alabama.
Cook passed on a Senior Bowl invitation to work out in San Diego with QB coach George Whitfield, focusing on Scouting Combine and pro day preparation.
Strengths Weaknesses
STRENGTHS: Possesses ideal size for the next level with the build to take consistent punishment, including as a short-yardage rusher with his deceiving athleticism.
Cook scans the entire field and is a confident passer to all levels, showing touch, anticipation and toughness in the pocket. He has effortless arm strength when he steps into his throws with proper mechanics and torque through his hips to deliver the proper trajectory on downfield passes.
Mastered Michigan State's offense, firing quick passes underneath with the ability to thread the needle on deeper sideline throws. Has excellent experience, and his poise in key situations has improved throughout his career.
WEAKNESSES: Once moved from his original spot, he attempts to "arm" everything and abandon his base footwork, often content making throws with his weight falling away from his target. Cook isn't fully comfortable with a muddy pocket, which forces his eye level to wander and confuses his internal clock.
He will make a handful of high risk throws each game and is too willing to deliver into high traffic areas after staring down receivers.
Apologized for an awkward encounter with legendary Archie Griffin in accepting the game MVP award following Michigan State's victory in the Big Ten title game, but only after a social media backlash. It would seem minor, but Cook had already drawn mixed reviews from scouts due to his "different" personality, with some thinking it might be tough for him to acclimate himself in a NFL locker room. NFL teams will be doing a lot of background work on Cook to answer the questions they have, including why he wasn't voted a team captain.
IN OUR VIEW: Cook isn't without flaw, but he shows a number of reasons to be encouraged about his potential in the NFL. Cook has the physical traits ideally suited for the pro game with tape that shows off a number of NFL throws.
--Dane Brugler & Rob Rang (12/8/15)