Reggie Cobb

Cobb was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he was a four-year starter at Central High School.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=April 20, 2019 |title=Tennessee football: Former Vols running back Reggie Cobb dies at 50 |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2019/04/20/tennessee-vols-football-reggie-cobb/3530213002/ |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} During his senior year, he rushed for 1,141 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, and returned 13 kickoffs for 305 yards and a touchdown. He was named to the Nashville Banner Elite 11, and was ranked the number three recruit in the state by the Knoxville News Sentinel."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=748&pg=84 1986 Signees] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061450/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=748&pg=84 |date=March 4, 2016 }}," 1986 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 82.

As a member of Central's track team, Cobb won the state long jump title, and placed fifth in the 100-meter dash.

Cobb signed with the Tennessee Volunteers in 1986, part of a stellar recruiting class that included future NFL players Alvin Harper, Anthony Miller, Antone Davis, Charles McRae, and Tracy Hayworth. He redshirted his first year as veterans William Howard, Keith Davis and Charles Wilson handled the bulk of the team's rushing duties. Cobb rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries, including a 54-yard touchdown, in the 1987 Orange-and-White Game, and emerged from spring practice third in the running back rotation behind Keith Davis and Vando Davis."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=749&pg=58 1987 Squad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044456/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=749&pg=58 |date=March 4, 2016 }}," 1987 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, pp. 56–57.

Cobb received considerable playing time in his first game of the 1987 season and made the most of the opportunity, erupting for 138 yards on 25 carries in the Vols' 23–22 win over Iowa.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 1987 |title=TENNESSEE FRESHMAN, BAD PITCH STOP IOWA |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/08/31/tennessee-freshman-bad-pitch-stop-iowa/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}} In Tennessee's 38–10 win over Mississippi State, Cobb scored three touchdowns, including a 39-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 Vols Win SEC Opener] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094407/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 |date=March 4, 2016 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 102. Two weeks later, he rushed for 66 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the game-tying touchdown late in the fourth quarter, in Tennessee's 20–20 tie against Auburn."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 SEC Battle Ends in Deadlock] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094407/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 |date=March 4, 2016 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 103. In Tennessee's 38–12 win over California, Cobb rushed for 94 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a 25-yard touchdown pass."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 Early Blitz Downs Bears] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094407/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=104&catid=90 |date=March 4, 2016 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 103. He rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee's win over Georgia Tech,{{Cite web |date=October 25, 1987 |title=Georgia Gets Past Kentucky |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-25-sp-16348-story.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} picked up 127 yards and two touchdowns against Louisville,"[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=106&catid=90 Vol Victory in the Cards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210319/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=106&catid=90 |date=June 10, 2015 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 104. scored three touchdowns against Ole Miss,"[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=106&catid=90 Happy Homecoming For Vols] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210319/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=106&catid=90 |date=June 10, 2015 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 105. and finished the season with 144 and 140 rushing yards, respectively, in close wins against Kentucky and Vanderbilt.{{Cite web |last=Shelton |first=Will |date=November 27, 2009 |title=Tennessee vs. Kentucky: 24 Years of Heartbreak |url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2009/11/27/1175174/tennessee-vs-kentucky-24-years-of |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Rocky Top Talk |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=November 17, 2008 |title=Tennessee Football Notes - Vanderbilt Game |url=https://utsports.com/news/2008/11/17/Tennessee_Football_Notes_Vanderbilt_Game |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |language=en}} In Tennessee's 27–22 win over Indiana in the 1988 Peach Bowl, Cobb rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter, to win game MVP honors."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=108&catid=90 Peach Bowl Win Highlights Season of Comeback Victories] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012031220/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=108&catid=90 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 106. For the season, he had a school-record 1,721 all-purpose yards, including a team-leading 1,197 rushing yards. His 20 touchdowns (17 rushing and three receiving) was second in the nation behind Paul Hewitt's 24, and tied an SEC record."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=60 1988 Squad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012060033/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=692&pg=60 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," 1988 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 59.

During the 1988 season, Cobb missed three full games and part of two games with an ankle injury, and his production dropped to 547 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 118 carries, and 126 yards and three touchdowns on 17 catches. He rushed for a career-high 182 yards against Duke, and picked up 111 yards rushing against Ole Miss before leaving the game with an injury.{{Cite web |date=September 11, 1988 |title=Tennessee Falls to 0-2 In Upset By Duke |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/11/sports/college-football-south-tennessee-falls-to-0-2-in-upset-by-duke.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=November 13, 1988 |title=Vols win again, stuff Rebels, 20–12 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kingsport-times-news-vols-win-again-stu/135026417/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Kingsport Times-News|via=Newspapers.com |pages=37}}

Prior to spring practice in 1989, Cobb was placed on indefinite suspension for failing a third drug test. After completing a drug rehabilitation program, he was reinstated just before the start of the season. He rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown in Tennessee's 17–14 opening win over Colorado State,"[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=116 Vols Win Season Opener] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012005435/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=116 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," 1990 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 115. and added 78 yards against UCLA the following week, sharing time with rising star Chuck Webb to form a running back tandem that became known as "Cobb-Webb."Matt Dixon, "[http://utdailybeacon.com/sports/2011/sep/9/cobb-still-fond-ut-hometown/ Cobb Still 'Fond' of UT, Hometown] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131006112159/http://utdailybeacon.com/sports/2011/sep/9/cobb-still-fond-ut-hometown/ |date=2013-10-06 }}," The Daily Beacon, September 9, 2011. Retrieved: October 5, 2013. In Tennessee's 28–6 win over Duke, Cobb rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns, much of his total coming on a 61-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=118 Vols Bedevil Duke] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012071640/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=118 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," 1989 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 116. The biggest game of Cobb's college career came in Tennessee's 21–14 win over Auburn, when he exploded for 225 yards on 22 carries, including a 79-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.{{Cite web |date=October 1, 1989 |title=Cobb Leads Vols' Upset of Auburn |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-01-sp-893-story.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} In Tennessee's 17–14 win over Georgia, Cobb rushed for 106 yards on 20 carries, and scored a key touchdown in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |last=Strange |first=Mike |title=Goose egg to Hail Mary, Tennessee football coaches notched notable wins over Georgia {{!}} Strange |url=https://www.aol.com/news/goose-egg-hail-mary-tennessee-090820865.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=AOL.com |language=en-US}}

Cobb was dismissed from the team prior to Tennessee's game against Alabama in October 1989 after he once again failed a drug test. For his abbreviated season, he rushed for 625 yards and six touchdowns on 90 carries."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=124 1989 Offensive Statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012050849/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=703&pg=124 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," 1990 Tennessee Volunteers Football Guide, p. 122. At the time of his dismissal, he was locked in a battle with Florida's Emmitt Smith for the SEC's rushing title."[http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=160&pg=8&catid=38 Around the SEC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012064122/http://diglib.lib.utk.edu/fbpro/main.php?bid=160&pg=8&catid=38 |date=October 12, 2013 }}," Tennessee vs. Georgia Football Program, 1989, p. 7. His 6.8 yards-per-carry in 1989 led the SEC.{{Cite web |title=1989 College Football Summary |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1989.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}

During his career at Tennessee, Cobb rushed 445 times for 2,360 yards and 26 touchdowns, caught 33 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns, and returned 16 kickoffs for 326 yards.[http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-stats/c.htm Individual Career Football Statistics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928083319/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/fball-stats/c.htm |date=September 28, 2013 }}, UTSports.com. Retrieved: October 5, 2013. His 1,721 all-purpose yards in 1987 remained a school single-season record until broken by Cordarrelle Patterson in 2012, and his 17 rushing touchdowns in 1987 remains a modern school single-season record.[http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/guides/2012/records.pdf Individual Football Records] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113625/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/guides/2012/records.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }} (2012), UTSports, p. 325. His 1,197 rushing yards in 1987 remains the 9th-highest single-season total in school history, and his 2,360 career rushing yards is the school's 10th-highest career total.[http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/guides/2012/records.pdf Individual Football Records] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113625/http://www.utsports.com/sports/m-footbl/guides/2012/records.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }} (2012), UTSports, p. 334.

In January 1990, Cobb entered the John Lucas New Spirit Recovery Treatment Center in Houston. He was occasionally visited by Tampa Bay coach Ray Perkins, who became one of his advocates. In spite of his past drug use, Tampa Bay took a chance and made Cobb their second-round pick in the 1990 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=1990 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1990/draft.htm |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}Tom Spousta, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZJFCAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GasMAAAAIBAJ&pg=576,1419229&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U2-G1tDFEopdtXpSuf-i41VH8RFDQ Cobb Learning You Can't Beat Coke As Easily As a Linebacker]," Middlesboro Daily News, April 26, 1990, p. 12. He signed with the Buccaneerss in August 1990.{{Cite web |last=Zier |first=Patrick |date=August 7, 1990 |title=Cobb, Chandler Have Agreements With Buccaneers |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g-gbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KnoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6216,1494856&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|via=Google News|page=3C}} In his first NFL game on September 9, 1990, he rushed 11 times for 43 yards and a touchdown in the Bucs' win over Detroit.{{Cite web |title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions - September 9th, 1990 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199009090det.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} His first 100-yard game came on November 10, 1991, when he carried 21 times for 139 yards and three touchdowns, including a 59-yard touchdown run.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - November 10th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199111100tam.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Two weeks later, he ran 22 times for 110 yards and a 27-yard touchdown in a close loss to the New York Giants.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - November 24th, 1991 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199111240tam.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Cobb's best NFL season came in 1992, when he registered four games with 100 or more yards rushing, and finished the season with 1,171 yards rushing and nine touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb 1992 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00/gamelog/1992/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the 1993 season, he had 221 carries for 658 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to go with a receiving touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb 1993 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00/gamelog/1993/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He did not re-sign with the Bucs after the 1993 season, and became an unrestricted free agent.Tom Silverstein, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VKsxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CBMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6315,5925330&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en Cobb to Sign With Packers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118220033/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VKsxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CBMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6315,5925330&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en |date=November 18, 2015 }}," The Milwaukee Sentinel, April 22, 1994, p. 1B.

Cobb signed with the Green Bay Packers in April 1994."[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=h_RHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=z-wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5391,4202808&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en Packers Sign Tampa Bay Back Reggie Cobb]," The Deseret News, April 23, 1994, p. D3. He struggled at the beginning of the season. Green Bay's ground attack ranked 26th in the league at the end of September.Tom Silverstein, "[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FZpQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FBMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4425,7815148&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en Run Scared? No Way] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118155608/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FZpQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FBMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4425,7815148&dq=reggie-cobb&hl=en |date=November 18, 2015 }}," Milwaukee Sentinel, September 24, 1994, p. 3B. In the Packers' loss to Philadelphia on September 18, Cobb scored the team's lone touchdown on a 37-yard pass from Brett Favre.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles - September 18th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199409180phi.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He ran for 66 yards on 13 carries in the Packers' win over Detroit on November 6, and rushed for 78 yards on just 11 tries in the Packers' rout of Chicago on December 11.{{Cite web |title=Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - November 6th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199411060gnb.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 11th, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412110gnb.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In his lone trip to the postseason, Cobb had 12 yards on 8 carries and an 18-yard reception in Green Bay's 16–12 win over Detroit on December 31, and was held to just 14 yards on four carries and a 12-yard catch in the Packers' loss to Dallas the following week.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card - Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers - December 31st, 1994 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412310gnb.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys - January 8th, 1995 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199501080dal.htm |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb 1994 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00/gamelog/1994/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Cobb was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1995 NFL expansion draft.{{Cite web |date=February 16, 1995 |title=NFL Expansion Draft |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/02/16/nfl-expansion-draft/ |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}} He was released by the team after the first game of the season, however.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb 1995 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00/gamelog/1995/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In May 1996, he signed with the New York Jets,{{Cite web |date=May 14, 1996 |title=PRO FOOTBALL;Jets Get Cobb and Boatswain |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/14/sports/pro-football-jets-get-cobb-and-boatswain.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press |language=en-US}} where he played primarily as a reserve, scoring one touchdown on the season.{{Cite web |title=Reggie Cobb 1996 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CobbRe00/gamelog/1996/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was cut by the Jets at the end of preseason in August 1997.{{Cite web |last=Eskenazi |first=Gerald |date=August 26, 1997 |title=After Jets Trim Down, Roster Is More Youthful |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/26/sports/after-jets-trim-down-roster-is-more-youthful.html |access-date=February 26, 2024 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}

Following his NFL playing career, Cobb entered the scouting profession with the help of fellow ex-Vol (and current senior personnel executive for the Miami Dolphins) Reggie McKenzie. Cobb joined the Washington Redskins administration as a scout in 2001, and subsequently worked for six years as Tampa Bay's Southwestern regional scout. He joined the San Francisco 49ers, where he was the team's Western regional scout, in 2009. In 2011, he was named NFC scout of the year by the Fritz Pollard Alliance.{{Cite web |last=Biggs |first=Brad |date=January 5, 2012 |title=Reggie Cobb named NFC scout of year by Fritz Pollard Alliance |url=https://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008-2018-nfp-archive/latest-nfl-news/reggie-cobb-named-nfc-scout-of-year-by-fritz-pollard-alliance/ |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=National Football Post |language=en-CA}}

In July 2011, Cobb was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame.John Adams, "[http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2011/jul/16/reggie-cobb-from-central-casting-to-stardom/ From Central Casting to Stardom]," Knoxville News Sentinel, July 16, 2011. Retrieved: October 6, 2013. Cobb died in Santa Clara, California from a heart attack due to one of his arteries being 80% blocked on April 20, 2019, at the age of 50.{{Cite web |last=Biderman |first=Chris |date=April 20, 2019 |title=49ers scout Reggie Cobb dies from heart attack |url=https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article229506819.html |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=The Sacramento Bee}}{{Cite web |title=Reginald Cobb Obituary (1968–2019) – Santa Clara, CA – Knoxville News Sentinel |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/knoxnews/obituary.aspx?n=reginald-john-cobb&pid=192645196&fhid=26456 |access-date=March 16, 2024 |website=Legacy.com}}

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Category:1968 births

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