Shannon has top RB Cook interested in Hogs

Running back Dalvin Cook likes linebackers coach Randy Shannon's recruiting style.

Highly recruited running back Dalvin Cook has known Arkansas linebackers coach Randy Shannon since entering high school and considers him one of the best recruiters around because his style of recruiting.

"He doesn't talk about football," Cook said. "He talks about what's going on at home, academic wise and things like that. When a coach comes in and talks about other things besides football that's a plus."

Cook, 5-11, 195, 4.38 seconds in the 40 yard dash, of Miami Central High School is committed to Florida but because of Shannon said he's trying to visit the Hogs this summer and will likely take an official visit to Fayetteville.

When Arkansas signed running back Alex Collins and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland out of South Florida, Cook took notice.

"It kind of surprised me that Denver signed," said Cook, who's stays away from Twitter after someone posed as him and posted some untruths. "I kind of knew that Alex Collins was going to sign but Denver was shocking. I grew up with Denver."

CBS Sports Network national recruiting analyst Tom Lemming rates Cook the No. 18 prospect in the nation and calls him one of the toughest backs in the nation with speed, vision and unusual power.

Cook, who rushed 127 times for 1,452 yards, 21 rushing touchdowns for a 11.4 yards per carry average as a junior, is looking for a school that can help him get to the next level.

"My goal right now is to get to the NFL," Cook said. "Whatever program that can get me there and make me successful and make me into a young man when I get there then that's where I'm going to be."

Off the field, Cook does well in the classroom and has a 3.0 grade point average.

"I'm probably going to go in undecided," he said of a possible major. "But it will probably be engineering. I want to own a construction company. I like working hands on with stuff."

Cook is also a standout in track and field and has been timed in the 10.6 range in the 100 meters. He also runs legs on the 4x100 relay and the 4x400.

"That's a grown man race," said Cook of running the 400 meters. "Running track is like a mind thing if you tell yourself you can't do it then your body isn't going to do it."

He'll head to Beaverton, Oregon late next week to take part in The Opening at Nike Headquarters where 162 of the top prospects will take part in the three day event.

"It's great going up there with all the great athlete across the country," Cook said. "I'm ready just to go have fun."