West Virginia running back Cam Cook was selected to the 29-player Preseason All-Big 12 Team on Saturday, the conference announced, giving the Mountaineers an early-season spotlight at a key offensive position.
Cook, a senior transfer from Jacksonville State, paced the Football Bowl Subdivision in 2025 with 1,659 rushing yards. Conference voters picked him among the league’s top players as West Virginia prepares for its first full Big 12 campaign under coach Rich Rodriguez.
What this means for WVU fans
The preseason honor cements expectations that Cook will be the Mountaineers’ primary ball carrier in 2026. Local supporters should expect him to be a central feature of the offense as WVU integrates portal additions and returns under Rodriguez’s scheme.
Cook arrived at West Virginia following a breakout season at Jacksonville State. Highlights from his 2025 campaign include a season-high 218 yards in a 29-27 win over Sam Houston and a 195-yard, two-touchdown effort against Liberty. He finished with exceptional contact and run-after-contact metrics as well.
- 2025 rushing yards: 1,659 (FBS leader)
- Best game: 218 rushing yards vs. Sam Houston
- Advanced production: more than 100 missed tackles forced; 1,142 yards after contact
Background and roster context
Cook is listed at 5-foot-9 and 202 pounds and began his college career at TCU before transferring. Recruiting services rated him among the top portal backs; 247Sports ranked him the No. 17 running back and No. 28 overall transfer prospect entering the 2026 cycle.
Rodriguez’s résumé includes producing productive rushers at multiple stops, and WVU’s staff includes offensive line coach Rick Trickett, who followed Rodriguez from Jacksonville State. That continuity figures to shape how Cook is used in short-yardage and downfield situations.
Cook essentially replaces Jahiem White in WVU’s pecking order. White, who earned preseason All-Big 12 recognition last year while at West Virginia, is now playing at North Texas under coach Neal Brown.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| 2025 rushing yards | 1,659 |
| Season-high game | 218 yards |
| Yards after contact (2025) | 1,142 |
Conference voting and honors
The Preseason All-Big 12 team was chosen by media members who cover the league’s 16 schools. Other preseason award picks included BYU’s LJ Martin as Offensive Player of the Year pick and Texas Tech’s AJ Holmes as the Defensive Player of the Year selection.
For WVU, Cook’s selection offers a measurable sign of confidence from league media and helps set expectations for a running game that Rodriguez has emphasized in prior stops. Fans can expect Cook to be a focal point once the Mountaineers open fall practice and move toward the 2026 regular season.
Coverage note: The conference provided the roster announcement and statistical highlights.
