One thing that there is no shortage of in WVU football history is talented running backs. You might not be able to go as far as declaring the school "Running Back U." But from Amos Zereoue to Quincy Wilson to Steve Slaton to Noel Devine, there is no shortage of storied talent at the position across the program's history. And incoming transfer Cam Cook could add his name to that list.
On Wednesday, speaking with the media after the first day of fall camp, Rodriguez was asked about potential similarities and comparisons he could make between Cook and former West Virginia running backs he coached, he settled upon perhaps the best rusher in program history.
"He's probably closer to Avon than than Stevie or Quincy or or one of those guys, or Noel," Rodriguez said. "He's kind of more got like the Avon stuff, because Avon was just a really good football player in all aspects."
#WVU HC Rich Rodriguez says RB Cam Cook is "closer to Avon" Cobourne than other former Mountaineer RBs.
— Chris Anderson (@CMAnderson247) August 5, 2026
Cobourne is the all-time leading rusher in school history. pic.twitter.com/BUWQcI7Rix
"All those guys were we've always had great backs here, but Cam and we got some young guys I really think are going to be pretty exciting to watch. But Cam's a leader of the group and he he's got a great feel for already for what we're doing."
Rich Rodriguez compares Cam Cook to Avon Cobourne
That is no small comparison for Rodriguez to make, and if Cook lives up to it, West Virginia fans could be in for an incredible performance this season from Cook.
Cobourne is still the all-time leading rusher in program history over 20 years after he departed from Morgantown – between 1999 and 2022, Coboune wowed fans at Milan Puskar Stadium, accumulating 5,039 career rushing yards. He also scored 43 rushing touchdowns, which is third all-time in program history behind Steve Slaton and Pat White.
That's a lot of hype for Cook to live up to. But he is no stranger to such hype in slightest. Cook was the leading rusher in all of FBS last season at Jacksonville State, amassing 1,659 yards on the season. He also scored 16 rushing touchdowns, good for sixth in the FBS. Since transferring to West Virginia, he has found himself named a Preseason All-American selection, as well as a Preseason All-Big 12 pick.
We'll have to wait and see once Cook hits the field for in-game action whether or not he's truly an Avon Cobourne level talent, but if Rodriguez's comparison is an apt one, the future is bright in the running back room this season for the West Virginia Mountaineers.
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