College Football: 15 best running backs in 2016
By Brad Weiss
To say Dalvin Cook is a freak would be an understatement. He is the complete package at the running back position, and one day he will be causing defenses nightmares in the NFL. For now, the ACC has to deal with this incredible back from Florida State.
Cook began to make a name for himself in 2014, when he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. The youngster made the most of his carries, averaging 5.9 yards per touch, while scoring eight touchdowns. He was a Second-Team All-ACC selection, which was a nice accomplishment for a freshman.
It was a small preview of what the country could expect in 2015.
Last season, Cook went crazy, setting Florida State’s single-season record for rushing yards (1,691). Incredibly, he broke the record in only nine games, but he was not done. His 1,935 all-purpose yards also set a school record, helping him to a seventh-place finish in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
For his efforts, Cook would be picked as a First Team All-ACC selection, an AP Second Team All-American, and Sports Illustrated made him a First Team All-American. Cook also won the Jim Brown Award, given to the top running back by the Touchdown Club of Columbus.
As the page turns to the 2016 season, Cook is ready to add to his legacy. He is a legitimate contender for the Heisman Trophy, and is listed on the Doak Walker and Maxwell Award watch list. This could be his last season with the Seminoles, but it will sure be fun to watch.
Next: 2. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford University