Tristan Cook will be going to camp at Wisconsin but also has had a lot of contact with Kentucky. (Photo - Marshall Imagery)
Woodford County senior offensive lineman Tristan Cook has a lot of major schools looking at him but can’t stop wondering why only Eastern Kentucky and Ball State have offered scholarships.
“I have worked my butt off. My parents taught me to keep calm and that’s what I am trying to do even though I wonder why more people are not looking at me,” said the 6-5, 310-pound Cook who can play multiple positions.
“But I am a thankful guy. Number one for me is always God. He will guide me toward more coaches and opportunities. It has always been a dream of mine to be on the field with 100,000 fans watching me. I want to spread the word of God and playing football is my platform to do that. People listen to people who are something. If you are a big football player, people listen.”
He’s got a visit to Wisconsin next week. He’s been to Louisville, Cincinnati and Marshall. He went to the Blue-White Game at Kentucky in April and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow has been to Woodford. He’s heard from West Virginia.
He says his coach, former UK all-SEC defensive lineman Dennis Johnson, knows a “ton of coaches” and continues to “spread” his name around.
“He has helped me a lot on the field, too. He pushed me and believed in me. He knows my work ethic,” Cook said. “And recruiting-wise, he has helped a lot with his connections.”
Cook is also posting workout videos on social media to catch the attention of college coaches.
“My first camp is Wisconsin. I hope to go there and do well and show who Tristan Cook is and if I am blessed with an offer that would be great,” Cook said. “They have seen I can play some ball and want to see more of me and I want to show them that.”
He also hopes to attend camps at Purdue, Kentucky and Marshall.
“I’ve had a lot of contact with Kentucky. I have talked to Vince Marrow and he has seen me change my body,” Cook said. “I have changed my diet and the workouts I do two or three times a day.”
The Woodford senior knows former UK all-SEC center Drake Jackson, who played for Johnson at Woodford and is now a graduate assistant at UK. He’s met new UK offensive line coach Zach Yenser.
He has also worked out with current UK offensive lineman Eli Cox of West Jessamine High School.
“He’s a good guy,” Cook said.
Cox is moving from guard to center this season and Cook has the same versatility, one reason colleges are interested in him.
“I can play center and guard. Some schools see me as a tackle,” Cook said. “My height brings me down with some big schools. I am a technical type of kid. I have never been super aggressive. I study the game and know everything about the game and positioning. I strive to be perfect.”
One Response
Don’t see why UK would not have already offered this young man a scholarship, and perhaps they will in time. He obviously is physically gifted with size. Seems to have a ton of desire.