Jared Cook life and biography

PRO:
Second-year tight end Jared Cook possesses a rare combination of speed, athleticism and pass-catching skills. After a rookie season in which he played sparingly, putting up nine receptions for 74 yards, he looks to become a major force in the Titans offense in 2010. Widely considered one of the top playmakers at his position coming out of college, the Titans thought highly enough of him that they traded a 2010 second-round draft choice to the New England Patriots to acquire him in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• As a rookie in 2009, Cook registered nine receptions for 74 yards in 14 games.
• In a three-year career at South Carolina, Cook, who originally entered college as a wide receiver, hauled in 73 passes for 1,107 yards (15.2 avg.) and seven touchdowns. In his final season there, the Southeastern Conference coaches recognized him with first-team All-SEC honors.
• After declaring for the draft with a year of NCAA eligibility remaining, he gained notoriety at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished first among the tight ends in the 40-yard dash (4.49), vertical jump (41 inches) and broad jump (10 feet, 3 inches).

TITANS TIDBITS:
• Cook’s 41-inch vertical leap at the 2009 NFL Scouting Combine earned 100 pairs of cleats for his former high school, North Gwinnett (Ga.). Combine sponsor Under Armour Inc. offered to buy 100 new cleats for the high school alma mater of any participant who ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, posted a 41-inch vertical or higher or did the 20-yard shuttle drill in 3.85 seconds or faster.
• His older brother, Jason, played fullback at Ole Miss from 2005-08. Jason was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as a rookie free agent in May 2009.
• On the back of his cleats, Cook writes the initials A.C. and D.R. The letters represent Ammon Craine, one of Cooke’s best friends who died tragically from drowning during high school, and Dennis Roland, his high school coach and mentor who died from thyroid cancer in January 2008.

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Suwanee, Ga., native was selected by the Titans in the third round (89th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft.

COLLEGE:

• As a junior (2008), earned first-team All-SEC recognition by league’s coaches and second-team accolades from Associated Press and Rivals.com. Named one of eight semifinalists for Mackey Award, given to nation’s top tight end. Appeared in 13 games with 11 starts. Ranked second on team with 37 receptions and 573 receiving yards while leading team with 15.5-yard reception average.
• Had team’s two longest receptions of season–a 66-yard touchdown against Arkansas (11/8) and 63-yard reception at Ole Miss (10/4).
• At Vanderbilt (9/4), had career-best day, recording eight receptions for 111 yards.
• As a sophomore (2007), moved permanently to tight end and appeared in 12 games with three starts. Ranked third on squad with 30 receptions for 421 yards (second on team). His 14.0-yard receiving average was highest for any player on team with more than two receptions.
• As a redshirt freshman (2006), split season between tight end and wide receiver. Saw action in 12 games and caught six passes for 113 yards, an average of 18.8 yards per catch.
• Redshirted in 2005.
• Majored in retail.

PERSONAL:

• Single, splits time between Nashville and Suwanee, Ga.
• Attended North Gwinnett (Ga.) High School, where he played receiver and free safety. As senior, caught 32 passes for 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. Named first-team All-Conference, All-State and Super 11 Team selection by The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Rated 24th-best player in Georgia and 40th-best wide receiver in country by Rivals.com.
• Also played basketball and earned All-Conference and All-State honors.
• During high school, his AAU basketball team, the Georgia Stars, won a national championship.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Antwone Fisher”; (TV show) “SportsCenter”; (actors) Derek Luke and Halle Berry; (music artist) T.I.; (school subject) science; (car) S 550 Mercedes; (video game) Call of Duty: World at War; (food) Italian food; and (sports hero) Jerry Rice.
• Born Jared Alan Cook on April 7, 1987 in Birmingham, Ala.

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