DAVIE, Fla. -- As three of college football's best-known running backs, it's been easy to lump Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey together.
That held true Monday. Fournette and McCaffrey attracted attention earlier this month for announcing they would skip their teams' respective bowl games to stay healthy and prepare for the NFL Draft.
Cook, a Miami native, was asked after FSU's practice on Monday if he's contemplating skipping what might be his last college game Friday against Michigan in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
"You don't see me right now?" asked Cook, whose gray shirt was drenched with sweat, about 10 minutes after practice ended. "I am going to play. Those guys were hurt, banged up, you know? They had to take time out to get rested.
"I respect what they did, but everyone's got their own opinion. Everyone's got their own choice. Once that whistle is blown, I'm out there."
Although he hasn't yet announced his NFL plans, FSU's star junior tailback is expected to play his final college game Friday before declaring for the 2017 draft. USA Today's latest mock draft projects Cook will go 14th to the Indianapolis Colts.
Cook reiterated Monday how excited he is to play in front of his family and friends.
"Just going to compete with my guys," Cook said. "Once again, it's always a great feeling."
