The West Virginia Mountaineers thought that the running back position would be one of their strongest during the 2025 season, as they returned Jahiem White from injury in addition to adding several significant pieces in the portal. But due to a combination of injuries and eligibility issues, WVU cycled through nearly every available option and never found a standout back that stayed heathy.
This offseason, the Mountaineers went a different route at the position. They still stoked up the room, but mostly relied on high school prospects and JUCO additions to do so. But they did bring in one piece of talent whose resume eclipses anything that they had last season – and that was Cam Cook.
Cook was the leading FBS rusher last season at Jacksonville State, who took a chance on him after his career got off to a lackluster start at TCU. Now, after posting a stat line of 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, he joins the West Virginia Mountaineers. But where will he rank among his competition in the Big 12?
Cam Cook graded out as Top 5 among current Big 12 running backs in 2025
Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently dropped their list of the top 10 running backs (according to 2025 PFF grades) set to play in the Big 12 this season with previous collegiate experience. And Cam Cook made an appearance on the list at No. 5.
Highest Graded Returning Big 12 Running Backs🔥 pic.twitter.com/12XILKvsNh
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 24, 2026
But one might consider if him just being a top five back might be too low of a projection, if they truly buy into the expectations set for Cook. Of course, this is based solely on PFF grades. But let's talk a true power ranking of the Big 12 backs.
One doesn't lead the FBS in rushing yards without having the talent to be among the top back in any conference. And if his spot as a preseason All-American is any indication, it is possible he'll actually be the No. 1 or No. 2 back in the league.
And to hear Cook tell it, he has gotten in better shape since arriving in Morgantown. On a recent appearance on the 3 Guys Before The Game podcast, Cook was asked how he knew he was in good shape, and his answer was encouraging for those banking on him to be an elite offensive weapon this season.
"This is the heaviest I've been," Cook said. "Like in my whole college career, this is the heaviest I've been. But this is the fastest I've been. Like I was fast last year, I was fast in high school, but we have our GPS, we wear our GPS every day for practice. And the speeds I've put up are the fastest I've ever gone."
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