GREENSBORO, Ga. — Georgia’s running back stable includes another thoroughbred with the arrival of Miami-Northwestern product James Cook.
Cook, an explosive runner expected to challenge for immediate playing time in the Bulldogs’ star-studded backfield, indicated his arrival in Athens with a social media post last week.
The school has yet to officially confirm Cook’s presence, but Georgia football coach Kirby Smart indicated on Monday that Cook is indeed in the fold.
“I think a lot of people know,” Smart said, asked about Cook at the Arians Family Foundation Celebrity golf tournament at the Ritz-Carlton Lodge on Lake Oconee on Monday.
“If you watch social media, you know.”
Cook posted a picture on social media last week showing his locker inside the Bulldogs’ football complex in Athens. He later took down the post.
Those who watch college football know that Smart has elevated Georgia football to dynamic proportion just two seasons.
Watch James Cook
The Bulldogs’ offense ranked among the most efficient in the nation last season, including a run game that pounded out 258.4 yards per game.
Georgia lost tailbacks Sony Michel and Nick Chubb to the NFL draft, but with four of five starting offensive linemen returning, there’s not expected to be much dropoff.
D’Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield, and Brian Herrien return, and now Cook and fellow freshman Zamir White enter the mix. All are expected to be in the hunt for playing time. White will likely be brought back in slowly as he recovers from a knee injury.
Cook is the younger brother of NFL tailback Dalvin Cook, who starred at Florida State.
