WVU Football
Cam Cook Reveals His Mindset Heading Into Return to TCU
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Now West Virginia’s featured running back, Cam Cook started his college career trying to prove himself at TCU. This Saturday, two years after leaving TCU in search of an increased opportunity, he will return to Fort Worth, Texas to face off against his former team.
Well aware of the significance of his return, Cook discussed treating the matchup as just another game on Tuesday.
“I’ve definitely thought about it, but to me, it’s just another game. Just trying to go out there and get another win with the guys,” said Cook when asked about his mentality ahead of playing in Amon G. Carter Stadium as a visitor. He also added that it might be a little weird to be in the visiting locker room there, a place he’s never been before.
While Cook looks back on his two years with TCU fondly, he knows he had to leave to fully prove himself. He ran for 518 yards off 135 carries in two season with the Horned Frogs, totaling 460 of that production and all nine of his touchdowns in 2024. He then transferred to Jacksonville State, although just missed Rich Rodriguez, who had already left to go back to West Virginia, and led the entire nation in rushing with 1,659 yards while averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. Cook also found the end zone 16 times with the Gamecocks in Conference USA.
West Virginia offensive lineman Nick Krahe lifts running back Cam Cook to celebrate his touchdown against Cincinnati during the 2026 season. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)
But wanting to get back on the Power Four stage, especially with a future in the NFL as his goal, Cook decided to transfer again and finally experience Rodriguez’s system directly from the veteran coach.
“I have changed a lot since then,” responded Cook when asked how he’s changed since his time at TCU during fall camp in late August.
“I’m a bigger back, I’m faster and smarter. I know what’s going on on all sides of the field. Not just what the running back is doing, but how the offensive line is blocking and where they’re trying to get to,” he added.
So far through seven games as WVU’s top back, Cook has 833 yards off an average of exactly 5.0 yards per run and seven touchdowns. An important piece of the Mountaineers’ explosive offense, Cook has exceeded 100 yards in five separates to this point, including putting a season-high 193 against Oklahoma State, although he only reached 40 yards in the most recent win over Cincinnati.
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