While former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook is waiting on the birth of his child, he’s also awaiting his fate in tonight’s NFL draft.
FSU star awaits NFL draft fate, birth of his child
TALLAHASSEE — Former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook is not trying to evade the NFL Draft day spotlight.
With chatter insinuating he could possibly slip out of the first round, Cook is not trying to avoid an Aaron Rodgers situation, during which the Packers franchise quarterback excruciatingly sat as the last of six green-room invites to be selected late in the first round in 2005.
Cook, who is widely considered a first-round talent despite durability concerns after three shoulder surgeries and off-field issues in his past, has opted to stay in Miami instead of attending the draft in Philadelphia today. He wants to bask in the moment with his loved ones in his hometown because “they all helped me get to where I’m at today,” he said.
More important, there’s a new member of Cook’s family also on the clock.
Cook and his childhood friend, Jacquilla Morris, have been expecting their first child — Dalvin Cook Jr. — since the beginning of April.
The thought of even missing his own draft party if his son arrives has also crossed Cook’s mind.
“I’m going to be there,” Cook said with a laugh. “If it happens, it happens. That would make the night more special, I can tell you that.”
Cook knew he had plenty to prove during his final season at Florida State in 2016, even after a standout sophomore season during
which he broke Warrick Dunn’s single-season rushing record while hampered by a hamstring and ankle injury.
Cook had to reaffirm he could be an every-down running back. He had to prove he could stay healthy. He also had to develop into a capable pass catcher out of the backfield to shine in today’s NFL like Dallas Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott.
In the midst of his final record-breaking season at FSU, where he set the school’s all-time rushing record while being the Seminoles’ third leading receiver, Cook was presented with the biggest challenge of his adult life.
“I wouldn’t say it made me more focused — I just knew I had to really build on my college legacy because it’s more than me,” Cook said of his son.
“He’s a junior. We got the same name. That’s what I always dreamed about.”
Cook said he received the news from Morris, friends since first meeting at Carol City Westview Middle School and high school sweethearts at Miami Central, during the middle of last season.
He decided to give a midnight phone call to his grandmother to share the news.
“He was happy,” Betty Cook said succinctly.
Cook’s mother, Varondria Burnett, on the other hand, has a different account.
“You can tell he was kinda timid,” Burnett said with a laugh. “It was sort of the point like, ‘Oh wow, I’m about to have a baby, mama.’”
In the following months, while cementing his onfield résumé, Cook was preparing for life as a father with counsel from those closest to him. Cook hopes his young family accompanies him to the city of whichever team decides to invest on his playmaking ability.
Burnett’s conversations with Cook have transformed into a walk down memory lane, reminding her of her time with him in the womb. He recently shared a story about touching Morris’ stomach and feeling little DJ ball up inside — just like how Cook used to before he was born, Burnett told him.
“He listens — you know Dalvin, his very intent,” Burnett said. “He listens, he laughs. We talk. We share. It’s been an awesome time.”