List of Most Impactful Big 12 Transfers Snubs Cam Cook

While Cam Cook has been showered with praise most of the offseason, his snub from a list of the most impactful Big 12 transfer players is hard to ignore.

On3 Sports’ Brett McMurphy, one of the most prominent and long tenured names in college football media, ranked the top 10 transfer players in the conference. However, Cook is nowhere to be found as he places Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker in the No. 1 spot and Baylor’s DJ Lagway at 10.

McMurphy does include one running back, picking the Cowboys’ Caleb Hawkins instead of Cook.

WV Sports Now reached out to McMurphy to explains his reasoning for omitting Cook. He just shared that he was only able to list 10 players and he feels Cook is below the others ranked.

Cook, the nation’s leading rusher from a season ago, has made most other similar lists. His ability, background from starting his career in the Big 12 at TCU, and most importantly, his fit in Rich Rodriguez’s offense argue why he belongs.

Rodriguez discussed why he targeted Cook in the transfer portal and what he brings to the Mountaineers during his media session at the Big 12 Media Days event.

“Our running back room was going to be completely new, not one person returning, so we wanted to get a veteran guy that could play at this level and had experience. Cam was the lading rusher in the country, played in a similar system at Jax State, and played in the Big 12 before,” said Rodriguez.

Cook’s success at Jacksonville State in an offense he built before leaving to return to West Virginia was one big factor in why Rodriguez wanted him, but not the only one. He had to study how Cook ran and what type of player he was on the field before bring fully bought in.

“He’s a complete player. He can run, obviously, he’s a great pass protector, has great pass catching skills. …. he was the first running back target [in the portal] and we were fortunate enough to get him.”

Rich Rodriguez Explains Why WVU Targeted Cam Cook to Carry Offense

Fully aware of the pressure and expectations, Cook is confident in himself, too. He knows he can take the WVU offense to new heights in 2026.

Cook explained his mentality and why he holds himself to a very high standard after spring practice on March 30. On the heels of being the nation’s leading rusher in 2025, Cook feels ready to be a featured back in the Big 12 again.

“I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team,” Cook said about his role as a Mountaineer. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us get to where we need to go. Last year, they asked me to do a lot, and I did whatever the team needed.”

And following up a season in which he stepped down a level with Jacksonville State, as Cook put it, the senior star running back appears poised to show he belongs in the Big 12 as a focal point of an offense.

“I have changed a lot since then,” responded Cook when asked how he’s changed since starting his college career at TCU.

“I’m a bigger back, I’m faster and smarter. I know what’s going 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.”

Find more coverage of Cam Cook and WVU football at WV Sports now.