Photo by: WVU Athletic Communications
West Virginia’s Cook Named Preseason All-Big 12
July 06, 2026 03:26 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia senior running back Cam Cook was named to the 29-player Preseason All-Big 12 Team announced today by the conference.
Cook, one of the Mountaineers' top transfer portal additions last winter from Jacksonville State, was named Conference-USA's "Athlete of the Year" following a 2025 season that saw him lead the FBS with 1,659 rushing yards, including a season-high 218 in a 29-27 victory over Sam Houston.
The Round Rock, Texas, resident also ran for 195 yards and scored two touchdowns in a win against Liberty and eclipsed the 100-yard barrier in all but three games last season.
The 5-foot-9, 202-pounder is expected to be West Virginia's featured back in 2026 and should pair well with coach Rich Rodriguez, who has a long history of producing elite rushers at West Virginia, Michigan, Arizona and, most recently, at Jacksonville State where his offensive line coach was Rick Trickett, now at WVU.
Cook's advanced stats last year included forcing more than 100 missed tackles and producing 1,142 yards after contact.
Cook was rated the No. 17 running back and No. 28 overall prospect in 247Sports' transfer rankings.
He began his collegiate career at TCU, spending two seasons there after a productive prep career at Stony Point High where he was given a four-star rating by recruiting services.
Cook replaces Jahiem White, who was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 squad last year. White is now playing at North Texas for coach Neal Brown.
BYU running back LJ Martin was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year; Texas Tech defensive lineman AJ Holmes was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker was picked as Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Media members covering the 16 conference schools selected the team.
Cook, one of the Mountaineers' top transfer portal additions last winter from Jacksonville State, was named Conference-USA's "Athlete of the Year" following a 2025 season that saw him lead the FBS with 1,659 rushing yards, including a season-high 218 in a 29-27 victory over Sam Houston.
The Round Rock, Texas, resident also ran for 195 yards and scored two touchdowns in a win against Liberty and eclipsed the 100-yard barrier in all but three games last season.
The 5-foot-9, 202-pounder is expected to be West Virginia's featured back in 2026 and should pair well with coach Rich Rodriguez, who has a long history of producing elite rushers at West Virginia, Michigan, Arizona and, most recently, at Jacksonville State where his offensive line coach was Rick Trickett, now at WVU.
Cook's advanced stats last year included forcing more than 100 missed tackles and producing 1,142 yards after contact.
Cook was rated the No. 17 running back and No. 28 overall prospect in 247Sports' transfer rankings.
He began his collegiate career at TCU, spending two seasons there after a productive prep career at Stony Point High where he was given a four-star rating by recruiting services.
Cook replaces Jahiem White, who was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 squad last year. White is now playing at North Texas for coach Neal Brown.
BYU running back LJ Martin was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year; Texas Tech defensive lineman AJ Holmes was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Drew Mestemaker was picked as Preseason Newcomer of the Year.
Media members covering the 16 conference schools selected the team.
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