Bulldogs add TE commit No. 2

While Mississippi State will be deep in the TE slot this fall, three of the four players on the roster will be graduating, so filling this need was a concern. After getting one to commit early, State still had a slot open, and filled that need on Monday night when Etowah (Ala.) Attalla athlete Kendric Cook cast his lot with State. He talked about his decision and his role in the future.

"Basically the fact that it was more they offered me than just football, considering my academics are important to me," he commented. "They push that really hard there; Disciplinary action is taken as far as things like skipping class and things of that nature."

While the academic part of the situation impressed him, so did his new teammates.

"There is a good chemistry between the players, and just the fact that I can be a part of it is even better," he said.

While many prospects go into a camp with intentions of making a decision, that was not the case with Cook. He was overwhelmed with the experience, however, and it did not take long for him to make up his mind.

"Going into the weekend I didn't have any plans of committing early to them, but once I left, it was something that I wanted to do," he explained.

Early in the recruiting process State had wanted Cook to graduate early and enroll in the spring, but things have changed.

"As of now they are not because we sat down and talked about it and there's no way possible that I can graduate in December," he said.

Mississippi State loses three tight ends this year, leaving only one on the roster going into next fall, thus leaving doors open for Cook and fellow TE commit Nelson Hurst to make their marks, particularly in two-tight-end sets.

"They are telling me I have the opportunity to play as a freshman, but of course there is going to be hard work to get there," he said.

Cook stands 6-foot-4, weighs 225 pounds and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds. He idolizes Antonio Gates and although he caught 31 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns as a junior, he feels blocking is his strength.

He should have no problems qualifying with a 3.2 GPA and a 19 on the ACT.