In 2024, Cam Cook envisioned himself being the next 1,000-yard rusher for TCU football.
The former four-star recruit had watched as Kendre Miller and Emari Demercado became NFL running backs while helping TCU reach the national championship game. As a freshman in 2023, he saw Emani Bailey top 1,000 yards and figured he would be next up.
But despite TCU finishing 9-4 in 2024, Cook didn’t have the season he anticipated. He rushed for 460 yards and nine touchdowns, but averaged 3.9 yards per carry and eventually saw his role diminish in the offense as the Horned Frogs turned to Savion Williams in their Wild Frog formation.
It was a tough season for Cook to endure and ultimately led him to enter the transfer portal in December 2024.
Nearly two years later, Cook returns to Amon G. Carter Stadium as one of the nation’s best running backs when West Virginia (4-3, 1-3 Big 12) takes on TCU (3-3, 1-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday on ESPN2.
But Cook had to travel a unique path to establish himself as one of the nation’s most productive runners. He talked to the Star-Telegram this week ahead of Saturday’s game.
TCU running back Cam Cook (4) celebrates as he scores a touchdown during the second half against Arizona on Nov. 23, 2024, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Chris Torres FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM Why Cam Cook left TCU
When Cook signed with TCU, offensive coordinator Garrett Riley was still in charge, coming off the run to the national championship game in 2022.
While quarterback Max Duggan understandably took up most of the headlines that year as a Heisman runner-up, the true strength of TCU’s offense was a rushing attack that averaged 193.3 yard per game. The Horned Frogs averaged more rushing attempts than passing attempts while going 13-2.
But when Riley left for Clemson, TCU brought in Kendal Briles from Arkansas to run more of a pure Air Raid style offense. The Horned Frogs leaned more on their passing game as the run game took a step back significantly in 2023. The difference became more noticeable in 2024 as TCU averaged 312.9 passing yards per game and just 113.9 on the ground. Cook had 81 yards in TCU’s season opener against Stanford, but only ran for more than 70 yards once the rest of the season.
“I think at the beginning of the season it started off pretty good, but as we got into that season, I really saw that the scheme of that offense wasn’t really fitting me,” Cook said. “So that’s kind of why I chose to enter the portal that year.”
Cook maintains that decision was mutual between him and TCU head coach Sonny Dykes to explore other options, citing his desire to do what was best for him.
Most players at the Power Four level can be reluctant to drop down to the Group of Six, but Cook was willing to bet on himself, which led to Jacksonville State in Conference USA.
Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook (left) takes the handoff from quarterback Caden Creel during the second quarter against Kennesaw State on Dec. 5, 2025, at AmFirst Stadium in Jacksonville, Ala. Jason Clark Getty Images Becoming one of the nation’s best
Cook had never heard of Jacksonville State before entering the portal, and you couldn’t blame him. Located in Jacksonville, Alabama — not Florida — the Gamecocks had just made the move up to FBS status in 2023.
But the program had won nine games in 2023 and 2024, and its scheme matched what Cook was looking for in his next landing spot. Cook’s father, Kyn, also played a big role in his decision to trust in Jax State’s vision for him.
“It was really just the coaches that I had known reached out to the coaches at Jacksonville State, and they had really said it was going to be a good fit for me,” Cam Cook said. “So it was hard to make that decision because it’s going somewhere I’ve never heard of before. But I just trusted the people I had around me, my family. My dad really helped me a lot on making that decision and really helping me buy into it.”
It didn’t take long for Cook to make a statement, as he rushed for 75 yards in his first game against Central Florida. That would be his lowest output of the season, as Cook ended up leading the nation in rushing with 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Cook was voted Conference USA Male Athlete of the Year, football Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year while also earning All-American honors from multiple publications.
Cook’s confidence never wavered even after the slow start at TCU, and his production at Jax State confirmed all his internal beliefs about what he was capable of.
“I knew I didn’t get to display like my talent as much as I wanted to,” Cook said. “ I wanted to go somewhere where I was gonna get the opportunity to be the guy and show that I had a lot more stuff that I could have displayed. It definitely meant a lot to me.
“Just being able to look back at the work that I had put in, it actually came, and it paid off. So, it helped me so much to just keep that mindset and stick with it. Cause I’ve always been a guy that I really don’t talk that much. I just like to put in the work, and then show people [what] I’ve been doing on the field. So just being able to have a year like that really meant a lot to me.”
After his breakout season Cook fielded interest from virtually every Power Four league, including the Big Ten and SEC. But ultimately he landed in the Big 12, eager to prove that he belonged in the conference.
West Virginia running back Cam Cook (right) carries during the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State on Sept. 26, 2026, at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va. Ben Queen IMAGN IMAGES Taking over the Big 12
With a big need for running backs, West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez quickly prioritized Cook after following the Gamecocks closely. Rodriguez coached at Jax State from 2022 to 2024 before returning to West Virginia, so he was already familiar with the program and many of the coaches.
Cook’s film spoke for itself, but once the Jax State coaching staff also signed off on Cook’s intangibles, Rodriguez knew he needed to get him to Morgantown.
“He’s a complete player. He can run, obviously, he’s a great pass protector, has great pass catching skills,” Rodriguez said at Big 12 media days in July. “He was the first running back target [in the portal], and we were fortunate enough to get him.”
West Virginia wasn’t just an opportunity to return to the Big 12, it was also a chance to continue running the same spread option scheme that led to him being the nation’s leading rusher.
Any concerns about whether Cook’s translation would translate were quickly put to bed. He rushed for 142 yards in the season opener against Coastal Carolina and then added 123 in West Virginia’s upset win over a ranked Virginia team and a season-high 193 against Oklahoma State.
On the season, Cook ranks fifth nationally in yards (833), first in carries (168) and tied for 21st in rushing touchdowns (seven). He is well on his way to earning All-Big 12 honors and is a big reason the Mountaineers are on pace to exceed last year’s record of 4-8.
Dykes had high praise for Cook and the success he’s had since leaving Fort Worth.
“I’m happy for Cam. He’s been really productive,” Dykes said. “Went to Jacksonville State and did really well there. Not surprised. He’s a good football player, great kid, great family. I’m happy that he’s had success and not surprised.”
Dykes and the rest of the Horned Frogs will want Cook’s successful run to come to a temporary halt on Saturday. Slowing down Cook will be one of TCU’s primary goals, as the Horned Frogs’ elite run defense squares off with one of the nation’s most prolific rushing attacks.
Cook will have plenty of family in attendance and will be facing a number of former teammates like safety Jamel Johnson and linebacker Max Carroll, but he isn’t letting the emotions impact the way he views Saturday.
“The game doesn’t really mean more than any other game would,” Cook said. “It’s really just another game on the schedule. I’m trying to go get another win.”
But he did acknowledge he’s eager to see how he, quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and the rest of the West Virginia offense can perform against a defense that ranks third nationally in points allowed (12.2 per game).
“It’s definitely a really good challenge for us,” Cook said. “We’ve shown that we have a really explosive offense, so just being able to go out there and see what we can do up against a really good defense will be a really good test for us.”
Cook’s resurgence since leaving TCU feels like a storyline out of a movie. Now as he makes his return to Texas, how fitting is it that Cook’s biggest challenge of the season could end up being his former team?
Game schedule dates, times, locations Sept. 13 N.Y. Giants 28, Cowboys 20 Sept. 20 Cowboys 37, Washington 20 Sept. 27 Baltimore 34, Cowboys 31 Oct. 4 Cowboys 34, Houston 30 Oct. 8 Tampa Bay 24, Cowboys 16 Oct. 18 Green Bay 23, Cowboys 13 Oct. 26 at Philadelphia, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Nov. 1 vs. Arizona, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 8 at Indianapolis, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., Fox Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., Fox Dec. 7 at Seattle, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Dec. 20 at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., CBS Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville, 7:20 p.m., NBC Jan. 3 vs. N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m., Fox Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, TBA Aug. 29 North Carolina 15, TCU 10 Sept. 12 TCU 63, Grambling State 7 Sept. 19 TCU 31, Arkansas State 7 Sept. 26 Central Florida 21, TCU 13 Oct. 3 BYU 17, TCU 10 Oct. 17 TCU 17, Baylor 6 Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, 11 a.m., ESPN2 Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, 2:30 p.m., FS1 Nov. 6 at Arizona, 9:15 p.m., ESPN Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., ESPN Sept. 5 Indiana 52, North Texas 16 Sept. 12 North Texas 44, UNLV 6 Sept. 19 Texas State 49, North Texas 35 Sept. 26 North Texas 63, Houston Christian 14 Oct. 1 North Texas 45, Tulsa 44 (OT) Oct. 10 North Texas 50, Charlotte 10 Oct. 24 at Navy, 2:30 p.m. CBSSN Oct. 29 vs. Florida Atlantic, 6:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2 Nov. 7 vs. Rice, TBA Nov. 14 at UTSA, TBA Nov. 21 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 28 vs. UAB, TBA All home games at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium Aug. 27 Central Oklahoma 59, Texas Wesleyan 7 Sept. 5 McNeese State 52, Texas Wesleyan 0 Sept. 12 Texas Wesleyan 56, Texas College 20 Sept. 26 Texas Wesleyan 41, Nelson 16 Oct. 3 Texas Wesleyan 34, Arkansas Baptist 27 Oct. 10 Louisiana Christian 42, Texas Wesleyan 27 Oct. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, Texas Wesleyan 22 Oct. 24 at Langston, 2 p.m. Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State, 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Ottawa (Arizona), 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Wayland Baptist, 2 p.m. Oct. 21 Houston 128, Mavericks 110 Oct. 23 at Indiana, 6 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 24 vs. San Antonio, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 26 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+, NBA TV Oct. 28 vs. Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 30 vs. Houston, 7 p.m., ABC, KFAA, MavsTV+ Nov. 2 vs. Lindenwood, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 6 vs. Southern, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 10 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 8 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 13 vs. Milwaukee, 7 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 19 vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m., Peacock Nov. 3 vs. Oral Roberts, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 5 vs. Le Moyne, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 8 vs. Tarleton State, 2 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 10 vs. Iona, 4 p.m., ESPN+ Nov. 12 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+ Oct. 10 Pittsburgh 2, Stars 1 (SO) Oct. 13 Colorado 3, Stars 2 Oct. 14 Stars 3, Colorado 2 (SO) Oct. 17 Stars 4, Chicago 0 Oct. 20 Stars 3, Boston 2 (OT) Oct. 22 vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m., Fox, Amazon Prime Video Oct. 25 vs. N.Y. Islanders, 5 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 27 vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 29 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 31 vs. Columbus, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Sept. 19 FC Dallas 0, Austin 0 Sept. 26 FC Dallas 1, LAFC 0 Oct. 10 Charlotte 3, FC Dallas 2 Oct. 14 FC Dallas 1, Seattle 0 Oct. 17 FC Dallas 2, Houston 2 Oct. 24 vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 28 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 31 at Kansas City, 2 p.m., Apple TV Nov. 7 vs. Colorado, 6 p.m., Apple TV End of regular season Oct. 29-31 POWRi Racing Nov. 5-7 POWRi Racing Nov. 12-15 Southwest RV Supershow Dec. 5 Team Texas: David Starr’s Racing School Dec. 12 NASCAR Racing Experience April 30 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series SpeedyCash.com 250 May 1 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 May 2 NASCAR Cup Series Wurth 400
This story was originally published October 23, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
Related Stories from Fort Worth Star-Telegram