isportsweb: MSU QB Cook has proven worthy of 1st round NFL draft pick – Detroit Free Press
Laurel Young is an MSU writer for the Michigan-based sports website isportsweb.com. Her opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the Detroit Free Press nor its writers. Read isportsweb’s column every Monday. Follow Laurel on Twitter at @laurelyoung4.
Last summer, I heard some analyst say Connor Cook should be the No. 2 pick in this year’s NFL draft. Cook hadn’t played a down of his senior year yet and I thought that was an absurd statement. Sure, Cook had a great junior year, and he could’ve left early, but No. 2? MSU’s Connor Cook? There was no way.
Cook had a great senior season. While I still stand by my thoughts that he’s not No. 2 material, he deserves to be in the first round.
Some people are questioning that lately, though.
Cook was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last season. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the best fourth- or fifth-year quarterback in the nation. He led his team to the College Football Playoff semifinal, throwing for over 3,000 yards. Playing in a pro-style offense at MSU the past three seasons should also give him an advantage over some other quarterbacks on draft day.
Cook also battled a shoulder injury. The Ohio native sat out for the Ohio State game and when he came back, some still questioned whether he was 100% healthy. He’s been proving to scouts, GMs and coaches the past few months that his shoulder is fine and he deserves first-round consideration.
During MSU’s Pro Day, Cook added rounds of throwing to show those watching from the NFL he was healthy and could throw long balls with his healed shoulder. He said he added about 12 more throws than originally planned.
As of late, the narrative seems to be less about his arm and more about his leadership. People are wondering why the then-two-year senior starter wasn’t named a captain before last season.
I understand why an NFL coach or GM would show concern about choosing the potential new face of their team. However, I think Cook has received an unfair amount of concern. No need to name names, but there have been plenty of draft picks, even No. 1 overall picks, that have carried larger red flags.
When the Spartans were down 20 points against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl with 15 minutes left, I wanted some skill positions re-evaluated, including quarterback. By the end though, the Spartans were Cotton Bowl champs. Cook wasn’t alone in the comeback, but had it not been for his composure, his arm and, most of all, his leadership, the Spartans would’ve been on the losing end.
If Cook’s lack of captaincy holds back any team, they shouldn’t take him at all. A quarterback has to demonstrate leadership to steer his team. With so many great seniors at MSU last year, not all of them could be captains.
Connor wasn’t a captain; he’ll still be a great quarterback and player to bet on in April and continue to bet on in the NFL seasons to come.
