Dalvin Cook, the dynamic tailback who re-wrote the Florida State record books in just three seasons, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday. He was the 41st pick overall.
His selection ends what was one of the more peculiar sagas regarding a prospect leading up to the draft this year. Cook was believed to be a first-round pick but would eventually slip out of the opening round and become one of the bigger names left for Round 2.
"As he kept coming down the board, we felt he was just too talented of a player not to take a swing and try to go up and get him," Vikings general manager Rick Spielman of said the Vikings' decision to trade up to that spot.
Although several teams were reportedly concerned about Cook's character and health -- he has had three shoulder surgeries since high school -- Spielman said the Vikings were not bothered by either. He said team doctors cleared Cook physically, and he said the organization was "very comfortable" with drafting Cook as a person.
“It was very overwhelming when I got the phone call," Cook said. "I talked to them (the Vikings) earlier in the process. When they called me, they said, ‘Are you ready to be a Minnesota Viking?’ I said, ‘Let’s make it happen.’ I’m really excited to be a Viking.”
* ALSO SEE: Full Press Conference transcripts from Vikings GM Rick Spielman, Dalvin Cook and Jimbo Fisher
“I'm extremely excited for Dalvin and his family,” FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. “The Vikings are getting a tremendous player. He changed the numbers on the scoreboard for us here and was as dynamic as any running back I've ever been around.
“Dalvin can be a game-changer at the next level. He's one of the all-time greats to put on a Florida State uniform. He's also a guy that was a great leader for us and worked as hard as anybody.”
Cook is the 39th Seminole drafted under Fisher and FSU's highest running back selection in 20 years -- since Warrick Dunn (No. 12 in 1997). He is also the ACC’s highest-drafted running back since 2013 (Giovanni Bernard, No. 37).
Cook’s status as a first-round selection came into question in the weeks leading up to the draft.
Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback reported earlier in the week that red flags regarding Cook were sparked by a “runner” or street agent attempting to sabotage his draft stock. SI reported the runner allegedly told NFL teams Cook did not take his pre-draft workouts seriously in addition to having a potential drinking problem.
Spielman said the Vikings looked into every reported issue and found nothing to keep them from making the pick.
"We have no concerns at all about him being a Minnesota Viking," Spielman said
Cook, who was a five-star prospect out of Miami Central High, would establish himself as one of the greatest players in FSU's history. He would rush for a school-record 4,464 yards and 46 touchdowns over his three-year tenure.
A former Mr. Florida Football award-winner, he rushed for a freshman school-record 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season. That year, the Seminoles reached the College Football playoff semifinal, where they lost to Oregon.
It was during his sophomore year when Cook would emerge to become one of college football's biggest stars. He played through ankle and hamstring issues and rushed for a then-single season school record 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns. Cook paced an inconsistent offense and guided the Seminoles to a 10-3 season and an appearance in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Cook's final season opened with several expectations. The Seminoles were seen as a national title favorite while Cook was in the Heisman Trophy conversation. FSU started the season 3-2 and Cook rushed for less than 100 yards in his first three games.
Both Cook and the Seminoles would recover. Cook would run for more than 100 yards in six of FSU's final seven games. He would break his own record, setting the new school mark for most rushing yards in a season with 1,765. He also tied the record for most touchdowns in a season with 20.
As for the Seminoles, Cook played a role in helping the team finish 10-3 and reach the Capital One Orange Bowl, where it beat Michigan. It was the team's fifth straight appearance in a New Year's Six and/or BCS national championship game.
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