Previous Spring Tour Stops
Stop 1: FSU making push for Fields, other top Georgia prospects
Stop 2: 'Noles very high on list of top DB in Georgia
Stop 3: Latest on Chiles LB Gainer, and a new star emerges in Madison
Stop 4: Valdosta LB McClain eager to gauge FSU's interest
Stop 5: Central Florida D-Linemen have FSU's attention
Stop 6: Standout offensive linemen Barnes, Campbell talk FSU
Stop 7: Could FSU pull a rare top prospect from Armwood?
Stop 8: FSU to get last visit before Rivals250 WR Moore commits
Stop 9: Five-star WR Justyn Ross opens up about FSU
Stop 10: Four-star DB raving about FSU ... 'I love this place'
Stop 11: DB commit Asante Samuel taking lead role with 2018 class
Miami Central -- RB James Cook
MIAMI -- It seems like only yesterday that James Cook was a freshman in high school, finding his niche as a young running back. Now, he's the leader of his team at Miami Central and going through his final spring of high school football.
During the latest stop on our Spring Recruiting Tour, we got a chance to not only see Cook's vast talents on the practice field but also his emerging leadership skills. Even as his older brother and former FSU star Dalvin Cook was beginning his NFL career as a second-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, James Cook was focused on leading his teammates in workouts and practice.
"It's up to me to make sure my team is right and we compete for a state championship," the younger Cook said. "I've gone through spring a lot, and this is when you put in the work to make things happen. I was very excited for my brother and was there when he was picked, although I have responsibilities on my end to also take care of."
One of those responsibilities is talking individually with Central's younger players about what they need to do to help the team. Cook also is striving to improve his own game -- working tirelessly to improve his strength, power and speed. He says he now runs the 40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range, which helps him as a running back and also as a receiver.
"I feel very loose and explosive," the 5-foot-11, 190-pound athlete said. "I've loosened my body up -- massaged and stretched a lot to keep things loose. I think running track helped me also get more explosive, and I see it when I attack the hole and also in the passing game."
When it comes to recruiting, other schools aren't giving up on the five-star running back, despite his long-standing commitment to Florida State. Among the main programs still making a push, Georgia and Southern Cal seem to be mentioned the most.
Cook recently visited UGA and said he had a good time. But was it enough to make him reconsider his commitment?
"I'm interested in Georgia and like them, and the visit was a lot of fun," he said. "I'm 100 percent, though, to Florida State. That's really home to me, and that's the big difference. Anytime I'm there, I feel that."
That "100 percent" comment is noteworthy considering he told Warchant earlier this spring that he was about 80 percent sure of his decision. Even still, that doesn't mean the battle is over.
Cook said he wants to take summer visits to LSU, Alabama, Oregon and USC. He also added that he will be visiting FSU "very soon."
