West Virginia’s backfield has a preseason headliner, and it comes with a familiar punch: Cam Cook is already being treated like one of the top running backs in the country.
On Tuesday afternoon, the WVU senior was named a Walter Camp Football Foundation Preseason Second Team All-American, a recognition that fits the kind of season he just put together at Jacksonville State. Cook rushed for 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns on 295 carries, with 92 of those runs picking up first downs and 24 going for at least 15 yards.
At 5-foot-9 and 202 pounds, Cook has built a reputation for playing well above his size. He keeps his legs churning, breaks tackles, and consistently falls forward for extra yards.
The number that jumps off the page most is what he did after contact. Cook piled up 1,142 yards after contact last season while forcing 101 missed tackles.
Only Ahmad Hardy of Missouri finished with more yards after contact, at 1,181. North Texas’ Caleb Hawkins and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy were the only other backs to top 1,000 in that category.
Cook’s production wasn’t limited to Jacksonville State, either. He already has Power Four experience from his first two seasons at TCU, where he worked in a more limited role and still managed 518 yards and nine touchdowns.
Because of the NCAA’s move to an age-based eligibility model, Cook is expected to have two years left instead of one. Even so, with NFL scouts already paying attention, the 2026 season may end up being the only one he spends in a Mountaineer uniform.
The Walter Camp preseason All-American team also included Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, Oklahoma State running back Caleb Hawkins, Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman, Rutgers wide receiver KJ Duff, Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, and a full slate of linemen, defenders, specialists, and other standouts.
In Other News...
Several Former Mountaineers Just Reached Crucial NBA Crossroads
A cluster of former Mountaineers is reaching different NBA crossroads at the same time, which makes the summer feel especially busy for West Virginia fans tracking old names. Treysen Eaglestaff is heading into the next stage of his pro journey after going undrafted, and Summer League will give him a chance to show he belongs on an NBA floor while every possession carries extra weight for a player trying to turn opportunity into a contract.
Jevon Carter is also in motion after being waived by Chicago and landing with Orlando, while Miles McBride is another name to watch as front offices keep sorting out rosters and trade possibilities. For a program that has sent plenty of tough, adaptable guards into the league, this is the kind of stretch that can reshape a career fast, and the next few weeks should tell a lot about which of these familiar faces is headed for a stable role and which one is still waiting for the next break. [Read more 🡒]
WVUs 2027 Class Still Has One Problem Fans Know Too Well
West Virginias 2027 recruiting class is in the part of the calendar where optimism meets silence. The coaching staff has finished its official visits and has now entered a dead period with limited communication, which means the work done in June has to carry the class for a while. Eleven of the 23 commitments came in that month alone, and the staff is still sorting out where the next additions might come from as it evaluates needs across quarterback, running back, tight end, defensive line, edge rusher, cornerback and safety.
The bigger issue, as always, is keeping the class together long enough to see it through. Even with a strong early haul, some committed prospects are still going to draw attention from other schools, and West Virginia is also weighing whether the transfer portal can fill a few of the thinner spots. If the Mountaineers can hang onto the core and add at the right positions, this class still has a chance to look far better than the quiet stretch around it suggests. [Read more 🡒]
WVU Athletics Finally Has Fans Feeling Something They Havent In Years
West Virginia fans have spent plenty of recent seasons waiting for something to point to across the athletic department, and this one offered a little bit of everything. CBS Sports overall-sports ranking put WVU 32nd among 68 Power Four schools, a sign that the Mountaineers were competitive in more than one corner of the schedule. Mens and womens basketball, baseball and volleyball all gave the program some visible momentum, with athletic director Wren Baker and several coaches helping push the department into a more optimistic place.
The most encouraging part for the fan base is how broad the progress felt. Volleyball reached .500 for the first time in a few years, baseball made a deep postseason run, and the womens basketball team paired its Big 12 tournament title with a strong spring that had the program hosting an NCAA Tournament game. Even with football still trying to find steadier footing after Rich Rodriguezs first season back ended 4-8, the bigger picture around WVU athletics looks different than it has in years, and that alone has changed the mood around Morgantown. [Read more 🡒]