Dalvin Cook has established himself as one of the best running backs in the entire NFL. The Minnesota Vikings star has surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground the past three seasons to go along with three Pro Bowl appearances. Stat sheets and honors aside, watching Cook is like watching a horse run out of the gate. He runs with speed and power that few can rival.
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Cook's success in the pros should come as no surprise to Florida State fans. The All-American halfback shined in his three seasons in Tallahassee, rushing for 4,464 yards and 46 touchdowns as the Seminoles competed with Clemson for ACC titles.
The Vikings running back is among the NFL's elite rushers, but he's not the only one in his family who has a knack for running the ball. His brother, James, has come into his own at Georgia.
Dalvin Cook's Brother James Cook
David Berding via Getty Images (left), Steven Limentani/ISI Photos via Getty Images (right)
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James Cook signed with the University of Georgia Bulldogs in 2018 out of Miami Central High School. The four-star product was a member of that year's top-ranked recruiting class that also included Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields before he transferred to Ohio State.
The younger Cook has seen action every year he's been in Athens, but with guys like D'Andre Swift in front of him for the first half of his career, he patiently waited until his senior season to split backfield duties with Zamir White.
While White was the early-down back, Cook separated himself by proving his prowess as a pass-catcher. His receiving abilities were on full display in his dominating performance against Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
James & Dalvin Both Torched Michigan in the Orange Bowl
Dalvin Cook has a younger brother 😳
James Cook will be in the NFL soon 🚀pic.twitter.com/Z9lb4PIPXh
— PFF (@PFF) January 1, 2022
James has a similar, violent running style like his brother, but his brother has probably never had a receiving day like the one James had against Michigan in the 2021 Orange Bowl. The UGA back caught four receptions for a wild 112 yards. A bulk of the yardage came from him sneaking behind the Michigan defense out of the backfield for a 39-yard score in the fourth quarter. Stetson Bennett hit him in stride to effectively put the game away.
James Cook's performance has also elevated him up NFL Draft Boards. Pass-catching running backs are more valuable than ever these days, and Cook proved he's among the best in the country.
As if his No. 4 (the same number Dalvin wore at FSU) jersey, hairstyle and facial features didn't resemble his older brother enough, James and Dalvin now share the distinction of exploding against Michigan in the Orange Bowl.
Michigan has now had a difficult time stopping the run in two straight Orange Bowls. @dalvincook ran wild against the Wolverines in 2016 as he ran for 145 yards and a score in the Noles 33-32 win. #Orangebowl #Noles #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/N15cvHuABy
— Saturday Gameday (@SaturdayGameday) January 1, 2022
Dalvin had 20 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown to pair with three catches for 62 yards in the 2016 Orange Bowl against the Wolverines. The Seminoles snuck out of Miami with a 33-32 victory in what would be Dalvin's last game at Florida State.
Dalvin had a spectacular college career and continues to thrive in the NFL, but his younger brother has a chance to accomplish what he never did: winning a national championship.
