Interview: Argument made that 2018 CB Anthony Cook is Best in Class Even with Room for Improvement

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Opposing Texas high school offenses are starting to learn that you might be able to fool cornerback Anthony Cook once, but if you try it again you will get burned.

Cook’s defensive mind might be best described as a super computer that can learn on the fly. Offenses lining up against Lamar High School have tried in various ways to sneak something past him but more times than not he has come up with a takeaway or a pass breakup. A play might work once, but as proven against Westfield High School in Week 1 of the 2016 season, try it again and he will pick you.

The 6-1, 170 pound, talent came up with six interceptions during his sophomore season catapulting himself into five-star recruiting status. His six picks were taken back 164 yards the other way putting six on the board for the Redskins helping his squad to an 11-2 mark against 6A competition. After one game in 2016, he already has one pick.

College coaches love the abilities and upside Cook has going for him. To date, at least 26 schools have pushed forth a scholarship offer, before he stepped foot onto the field for his junior campaign. Among the many 2018 National Signing Day hopefuls includes Texas, Florida, LSU, Texas Tech, USC, Michigan State, West Virginia, Ohio State, Florida State, Alabama, Clemson, Baylor, Georgia, Houston, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and TCU.

All of the attention, accolades, and on the field productivity has earned Cook a 247Sports ranking as the No. 3 cornerback in his class and the No. 2 overall player in the state of Texas – that is saying a lot. Even Cook realizes he has a long way to go until he is the complete player he wants to be before heading off to the next level.

In a Recruiting News Guru stylized interview, I sat down with Cook for a one-on-one covering his skill set at corner and his recruiting process thus far.

Interview

Anthony, you picked off six passes last year taking three back to the house. What is your secret?

(Laughs) “Staying humble and patient. That’s all there really is to it. They don’t try me a lot but when they do I make them pay. I like to get them to bite on a route.”

Westfield challenged you and you picked one off, were you surprised they came your way?

“Not quite because the half before that I gave up a big one. They tried me again and I capitalized on it. I only had two passes thrown my way the whole game.”

What type of base defense does Lamar run?

“Honestly it depends on the team we play. Our next game against Fort Bend Hightower, I am playing against a good receiver. I will man him up the whole game. It depends on the offense we are going against and their personnel.”

Your pass cover skills are obviously top notch, how do you feel about your run stopping abilities?

“That is something I have been working on. This past game, I was coming up on the run but sometimes I was coming up too hard.”

What all did you work to improve upon from last year?

“Mainly my technique. That is all that I worked on. I lifted weights and did conditioning but I worked on my technique a lot.”

You mentioned your speed, did you run a 40-yard dash this summer?

“The only laser timed 40 I ran was at the (Nike) Opening (Regional). I ran a 4.6. After that, during the summer time I ran a 4.4 on my first try and a 4.5 on the second time at Texas (Longhorns camp).”

Nice. What other camps did you attend this summer?

“The Texas camp, and I went to the Rivals 5 star, the Opening, an Alabama camp, and then I went to a Georgia camp.”

Which camp did you perform your best?

“I’d say the Alabama camp.”

What did you do at the Alabama camp that helped you standout?

“I feel like I was going up against top notch receivers, I am at my best against top players. I did what I do and I did it well.”

Collectively, what did you learn from the camps you attended that you are taking with you into your junior season?

“I learned to be more fluid in my pedaling, my arm flow when I’m pedaling, and to keep my eyes in the right place and not get caught looking at the receivers body.”

What is some of the feedback from college coaches you have received about your game?

“They say that they like my aggressiveness and that I have great ball skills. They tell me to keep working and to keep developing and I will be ready for the next level.”

On Sept. 1, college coaches could start reaching out to players directly. How many schools contacted you on Thursday?

“A lot of schools. I can’t count them all. I was contacted mainly by head coaches. That was a good thing and a blessing.”

As a top recruit, was it a big deal to you that on day one you were contacted by so many schools? Was that really a bid deal to you?

“It’s a blessing. My mom was more excited than me. My Twitter account is on her phone. I deleted it off my phone for the season. She was the one telling me about all the schools that were reaching out. I wasn’t as excited as she was.”

I like that. Are there any schools pushing harder for you than the others?

“Yes sir. Ohio State, Georgia, Clemson, and Baylor. Baylor was at first but since everything that went on communication has stopped. Oklahoma and Texas are in contact with me as well.”

Do you have any upcoming unofficial visits planned?

“I am looking to get to Ohio State for a game, other than that I don’t know.”

Let’s turn back to Lamar. Are there any games on the schedule that you are excited to play this year?

“Not exactly. I’m ready to make it to the playoffs. I’m looking forward to that.”

Are there any receivers that you are looking forward to going up against this season?

“No sir, not exactly. The better receivers that I have faced have been players from out of state teams at camps.”

Last question, what are your personal expectations for the season?

“I want to be a game changer. If I am getting a pick, making a good tackle, or a good block, I just want to make plays. I want to stay focused and humble.”

Anthony, thanks for your time today and good luck against Fort Bend Hightower.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: 247sports.com; No. 21 Anthony Cook in action.

Photo credit: nucsportsmag.com; No. 21 Anthony Cook pre-snap.

Photo credit: Cook family; Anthony Cook with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.