Connor Cook
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Connor Cook
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Cook with Detroit Lions in 2019
| current_team =
| number = 8, 18, 3, 7
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|1|29|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Parma Heights, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 215
| high_school = Walsh Jesuit
(Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio)
| college = Michigan State (2011–2015)
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 4
| draftpick = 100
| pastteams =
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}})
- Carolina Panthers ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2018}})*
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- Houston Roughnecks ({{XFL Year|2020}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2015)
- Big Ten Quarterback of the Year (2015)
- Rose Bowl Offensive MVP (2014)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2015)
- 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (2013, 2014)
| statlabel1 = Pass attempts
| statvalue1 = 21
| statlabel2 = Pass completions
| statvalue2 = 14
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 66.7
| statvalue4 = 1–1
| statlabel5 = Passing yards
| statvalue5 = 150
| statlabel6 = Passer rating
| statvalue6 = 83.4
| pfr = CookCo00
}}
Connor Cook (born January 29, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and was their starting quarterback from 2013 to 2015. He holds the record for most career wins at Michigan State. Cook was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders.
After initially serving as the third-string backup to Derek Carr and Matt McGloin, Cook played in his first NFL game in the Raiders' last regular season game of the 2016 NFL season after Carr and McGloin suffered injuries. Following this, he was named the starter for the Raiders' playoff game against the Houston Texans and became the first quarterback in NFL post-merger history to make his first (and only) career start in a playoff game.
Early years
Cook was born in Parma Heights, Ohio, on January 29, 1993. Cook is from an athletic family: His father, Chris, played football at Indiana; his mother, Donna, played basketball at Cincinnati; and his older sister, Jackie, played basketball at Old Dominion.{{cite web | last=McDonald | first=Jerry | title=Ten things to know about Raiders QB Connor Cook | website=The Mercury News | date=2017-01-04 | url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/01/04/ten-things-to-know-about-raiders-qb-connor-cook/ | access-date=2024-09-30}} Cook attended Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He was ranked as the nation's 13th best quarterback recruit by Rivals.com.{{Cite web |title=Connor Cook, 2011 Pro Style Quarterback, Michigan State |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/connor-cook-10504 |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}}
College career
Upon enrolling at Michigan State, Cook was redshirted as a freshman in 2011. He spent the 2012 season as a backup to Andrew Maxwell.{{cite web | last=Couch | first=Graham | title=Michigan State backup QB Connor Cook knows he's behind Andrew Maxwell ... for now at least | website=mlive.com | date=2012-03-28 | url=https://www.mlive.com/spartans/2012/03/michigan_state_backup_qb_conno.html | access-date=2024-09-30}} After Maxwell was benched, Cook helped lead the team to a win in the 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, completing four of 11 passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2012/12/michigan_state_redshirt_freshm.html|title=Michigan State redshirt freshman quarterback Connor Cook emerges in Spartans' 17–16 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl win over TCU|work=MLive.com|date=December 30, 2012}} Overall, he appeared in three games, completing nine of 17 passes for 94 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He entered the 2013 season as the backup to Maxwell again. After Maxwell struggled, Cook took over as the starter after the first game and remained the starter the rest of the year.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2013/09/michigan_state_to_start_connor.html|title=Michigan State to start Connor Cook against South Florida, with Tyler O'Connor as his backup|work=MLive.com|date=September 7, 2013}} He led Michigan State to a 34–24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game and was named MVP after throwing for 304 yards with three touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2015/11/30/big-ten-championship-michigan-states-connor-cook-wants-repeat/76569042/|title=Big Ten Championship: Michigan State's Connor Cook wants a repeat}}{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/detroit/story/spartans-qb-connor-cook-still-hungry-after-feasting-in-2013-072714|title=MSU quarterback Connor Cook still hungry after feasting in 2013 - FOX Sports|date=July 27, 2014}} He then led the Spartans to a 24–20 victory over Stanford in the 2014 Rose Bowl. He was named the offensive MVP after throwing for 332 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2014/01/michigan_state_rose_bowl_offen.html|title=Michigan State's Connor Cook rebounds from interception, grabs Rose Bowl offensive MVP|date=January 2, 2014}} Cook finished the season with 2,755 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.
As a junior in 2014, Cook passed 3,214 yards with 24 touchdowns. He led the Spartans to the 2015 Cotton Bowl, where they defeated the higher-ranked Baylor Bears, 42–41.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap?gameId=400610179|title=Michigan State vs. Baylor - Game Recap - January 1, 2015 - ESPN|website=ESPN.com}} As a senior in 2015 Cook led the Spartans to a 16–13 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship Game and was named MVP for the second time in three years.
The victory in that Big Ten Championship Game earned them a spot in the College Football Playoff (2015 Cotton Bowl), where they lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 38–0. Cook finished the season with 3,131 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, completing 56% of his passes. He won the 2015 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation's outstanding senior or fourth year quarterback. For his career, he completed 673 of 1,170 passes for a school record 9,194 yards with 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
=College statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Michigan State Spartans}}" | Michigan State Spartans | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="3"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing | |||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |
| 2012
| 3 || 0 || 0−0 || 9 || 17 || 52.9|| 94 || 5.5 || 1 || 1 || 107.0 || 4 || −3 || −0.8 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2013
| 14 || 13 || 12−1 || 223 || 380 || 58.7 || 2,755 || 7.3 || 22 || 6 || 135.5 || 69 || 76 || 1.1 || 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 2014
| 13 || 13 || 11−2 || 212 || 365 || 58.1 || 3,214 || 8.8 || 24 || 8 || 149.4 || 51 || 80 || 1.5 || 2 | |||||||||||||||
| 2015
| 13 || 13 || 11−2 || 229 || 408 || 56.1 || 3,131 || 7.7 || 24 || 7 || 136.6 || 52 || 56 || 1.1 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Totals{{cite web |title=Connor Cook |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/connor-cook-1.html |publisher=USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties |work=www.sports-reference.com |access-date=January 11, 2016}} | 43 | 39 | 34−5 | 673 | 1,170 | 57.5 | 9,194 | 7.9 | 71 | 22 | 139.8 | 176 | 209 | 1.2 | 3 |
Professional career
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4
| weight = 217
| dash = 4.79
| ten split = 1.68
| twenty split = 2.79
| shuttle = 4.28
| cone drill = 7.21
| vertical = 33
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 5
| arm span = 33
| hand span = 9 3/4
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/connor-cook/3200434f-4f04-5872-7e60-9148df96751c |title=Connor Cook Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |publisher=National Football League }}{{Cite web |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=119548&DraftYear=2016 |title=Connor Cook, Michigan State, QB, 2016 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |website=draftscout.com |access-date=November 7, 2021}}
}}
=Oakland Raiders=
Cook was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round with the 100th pick in the 2016 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He was the seventh quarterback chosen in the draft.{{cite web|title=Raiders help kick off fourth round with pick of Connor Cook|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2016/story/_/id/15433935/oakland-raiders-trade-select-quarterback-connor-cook|website=ESPN|date=April 30, 2016|access-date=January 7, 2017}} On May 9, 2016, the Raiders signed Cook to a 4-year, $2.95 million contract with a signing bonus of $619,890.{{cite web|url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/oakland-raiders/connor-cook-19054/| title=Spotrac.com: Connor Cook contract| access-date=December 21, 2016| website=spotrac.com}}
Cook began his rookie season for the Raiders as the third-string quarterback on the depth chart behind starter Derek Carr and second-stringer Matt McGloin. On December 24, 2016, Cook was raised to backup quarterback after Carr suffered a season-ending right fibula injury. On January 1, 2017, Cook made his NFL debut, entering the game late in the first half after starter McGloin suffered a shoulder injury.{{cite web | url=https://www.raiders.com/news/oakland-raiders-wrap-up-regular-season-with-24-6-loss-to-denver-broncos-18370031| title=Oakland Raiders Wrap Up Regular Season With 24-6 Loss To Denver Broncos | publisher=raiders.com | date=January 1, 2017 | access-date=January 1, 2017 | author=Paskal, Eddie}} He played for the remainder of the game. In the third quarter, he threw his first NFL touchdown, a 32-yard pass to wide receiver Amari Cooper. He completed 14 of 21 passes for 150 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception as the Raiders lost to the Denver Broncos by a score of 24–6.{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18390251/oakland-raiders-quarterback-matt-mcgloin-injured-connor-cook-takes-over | title=Rookie QB Connor Cook takes over for Matt McGloin in Raiders' loss | work=ESPN | date=January 1, 2017 | access-date=January 1, 2017 | author=Gutierrez, Paul}} On January 4, Cook was named the starter for the American Football Conference (AFC) Wildcard Game against the Houston Texans.{{cite web | url=http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/01/04/oakland-raiders-connor-cook-starting-qb-houston-texans-playoffs/ | title=Raiders Announce Connor Cook To Start Playoff Game Vs. Texans | publisher=sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com | agency=Associated Press | date=January 1, 2017 | access-date=January 8, 2017}} McGloin was limited in practice due to his injury but was still active as Cook's backup for the playoff game.{{cite web | url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000770767/article/matt-mcgloin-expected-to-be-active-as-backup | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108001538/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000770767/article/matt-mcgloin-expected-to-be-active-as-backup | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 8, 2017 | title=Matt McGloin expected to be active as backup | work=NFL.com | date=January 7, 2017 | access-date=January 8, 2017}}{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/08/sports/football/oakland-raiders-playoffs-cook-mcgloin.html?_r=0 | title=With Matt McGloin Available, Raiders Decide to Stick With Connor Cook | work=The New York Times | agency=Associated Press | date=January 8, 2017 | access-date=January 8, 2017}}{{cite web | url=http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/raiders-coach-jack-del-rio-admits-considered-benching-connor-cook-010817 | title=Raiders coach Jack Del Rio admits he considered benching Connor Cook | work=foxsports.com | date=January 8, 2017 | access-date=January 8, 2017 | author=DaSilva, Cameron}} Cook became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to make his first career start in a playoff game.{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-expected-to-start-connor-cook-vs-texans-0ap3000000768817 | title=Raiders expected to start Connor Cook vs. Texans | work=NFL.com | date=January 3, 2017 | access-date=January 3, 2017 | author=Orr, Connor}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18407199/oakland-raiders-start-rookie-connor-cook-qb-vs-houston-texans|title=Raiders' Connor Cook to make first career start Saturday vs. Texans|work=ESPN|date=January 4, 2017|first=Paul | last=Gutierrez}} On January 7, 2017, in the AFC Wildcard Game against the Texans, Cook completed 18 of 45 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions as the Raiders lost 27–14.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2017010700/2016/POST18/raiders@texans| title=NFL Game Center: Week 18-2016: Oakland Raiders @ Houston Texans| access-date=January 7, 2017| website=NFL.com}} In the loss, he threw his first career postseason touchdown to Andre Holmes in the fourth quarter.
Cook saw no action in 2017 as the third-string quarterback behind Carr and new second-stringer EJ Manuel. He was only active for one game the whole season.
On September 1, 2018, Cook was released after the Raiders traded for A. J. McCarron.{{cite web|title=Oakland Raiders announce roster transactions - 9.1.18|url=https://www.raiders.com/news/oakland-raiders-announce-roster-transactions-2|website=Raiders.com|date=September 1, 2018}}
=Carolina Panthers=
On September 6, 2018, Cook was signed to the practice squad of the Carolina Panthers.{{cite web|title=Panthers sign Connor Cook to practice squad|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-sign-connor-cook-to-practice-squad|website=Panthers.com|date=September 6, 2018}} He was released on October 9, 2018.{{cite web|title=Panthers add LB Brandon Chubb to practice squad|url=https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-add-lb-brandon-chubb-to-practice-squad|website=Panthers.com|date=October 9, 2018}}
= Cincinnati Bengals =
Cook was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals to their practice squad on November 5, 2018.{{cite web|title=Things keep getting worse for Christian Hackenberg|url=https://nypost.com/2018/11/05/things-keep-getting-worse-for-christian-hackenberg/|website=NYPost.com|first=Joseph|last=Staszewski|date=November 5, 2018}}
= Detroit Lions =
On January 1, 2019, Cook signed a reserve/future contract with the Detroit Lions.{{cite web|title=Matthew Stafford's new backup: Detroit Lions sign ex-MSU QB Connor Cook|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/01/01/detroit-lions-ex-michigan-state-qb-connor-cook/2457233002/|website=Freep.com|date=January 1, 2019}} In June 2019, the Lions released Cook and signed Quarterback David Fales.{{cite news |last1=Raven |first1=Benjamin |title=Connor Cook reportedly loses QB competition for XFL's Houston Roughnecks |url=https://www.mlive.com/lions/2020/02/connor-cook-reportedly-loses-qb-competition-for-xfls-houston-roughnecks.html |access-date=February 10, 2020 |work=MLive Detroit |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=February 6, 2020 |language=en}}
= Houston Roughnecks =
Cook was selected by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in the 1st round with the second pick of the 2020 XFL Draft.{{cite news|last=Bender|first=Bill|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/xfl-draft-tracker-results-picks-list-rosters-football-league/jahz8p84e4i61hb8lajqs4a22|title=XFL Draft picks 2019: Complete results, rosters, players for new football league|website=Sporting News|date=October 21, 2019|access-date=October 22, 2019}} However, Cook lost the quarterback competition to assigned player P.J. Walker and assumed the backup position. He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.{{cite news |author=Condotta, Bob |title=XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/xfl-suspends-operations-terminates-all-employees/ |website=SeattleTimes.com |date=April 10, 2020 |access-date=July 17, 2020}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} |
| 2016 || OAK
| 1 || 0 || 14 || 21 || 66.7 || 150 || 7.1 || 1 || 1 || 83.4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CookCo00.htm | title=Connor Cook | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | work=pro-football-reference.com | access-date=January 1, 2017}} || 1 || 0 || 14 || 21 || 66.7 || 150 || 7.1 || 1 || 1 || 83.4 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games started}} | {{abbr|Cmp|Passes completed}} | {{abbr|Att|Passes attempted}} | {{abbr|Pct|Completion percentage}} | {{abbr|Yds|Passing yards}} | {{abbr|Y/A|Yards per passing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Passing touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Int|Interceptions}} | {{abbr|Rtg|Passer rating}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}} |
| 2016 || OAK
| 1 || 1 || 18 || 45 || 40.0 || 161 || 3.6 || 1 || 3 || 30.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career || 1 || 1 || 18 || 45 || 40.0 || 161 || 3.6 || 1 || 3 || 30.0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 |
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal|American Football}}
- [http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/connor_cook_765042.html Michigan State Spartans bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205162535/http://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/connor_cook_765042.html |date=December 5, 2013 }}
{{Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year}}
{{Michigan State Spartans quarterback navbox}}
{{Johnny Unitas Award}}
{{Raiders2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cook, Connor}}
Category:People from Hinckley, Ohio
Category:Sportspeople from Medina County, Ohio
Category:Players of American football from Ohio
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Michigan State Spartans football players
Category:Oakland Raiders players
Category:Carolina Panthers players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players