Lamar Texans’ five-star prospect Anthony Cook chooses The University of Texas
Texas Cookin'
Josh Koch
21 December 2017
Originally appeared on Vype.com.
HOUSTON—Moments before stepping out to sit at the table with cameras pointed in his direction, Anthony Cook delivered some bad news.
Cook called Texas coach Tom Herman to let him know he would be choosing another school.
After breaking his heart, Cook came out and finished off the joke on Herman by pulling out a bright burnt orange cap with the white Longhorn logo across the front and committed to the University of Texas on Wednesday.
“He was laughing,” Cook said about Herman’s reaction when he Facetimed him after his commitment. “‘I knew you were playing,'"(Herman said).
Cook had his top three schools narrowed down to Texas, LSU and Ohio State heading into the first ever early National Signing Day.
In past years a trend in Houston has seen top players leave the state to play college football but Cook wasn’t going to follow that.
“I’m from Texas,” Cook said. “If I would have went to any other school and then I see my Texas school winning a national championship that would have hurt my heart. So I couldn’t let that pass.”
On this day Cook was joined by teammates D’Shawn Jamison and Al’vonte Woodard, who both also signed to the University of Texas.
“It does make it easier (having) familiar faces,” Cook said. “We’re going in and we’re all going to experience the same thing. We’re going to be new but we’re going to get through it together.”
Cook had 30 offers heading into the day, according to Rivals.com, which ranked him as the No. 1 prospect to come out of Texas this recruiting class. Cook was ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2018 recruiting class.
Jets interview Houston Texans coordinator for their head coach vacancy
Jan 17, 2025, 3:11 pm
The New York Jets interviewed Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coach position Thursday.
The meetings with Smith and Slowik gave the Jets 12 known candidates with whom they've spoken about their vacancy.
New York has also interviewed Aaron Glenn, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich and Mike Vrabel for the job. Vrabel has since been hired by New England as its coach.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley are also expected to meet soon with the Jets.
The 42-year-old Smith, who was the Atlanta Falcons' head coach from 2021-23, was considered one of the Jets' top candidates in 2021 when he interviewed with the team before New York hired Robert Saleh. Smith was hired by the Falcons the next day and went 21-30, with three straight 7-10 finishes, before being fired after the 2023 season.
Mike Tomlin hired Smith last offseason to run the Steelers' offense, which improved in several categories this season with Russell Wilson at quarterback as Pittsburgh made the playoffs.
Smith spent 10 years with Tennessee, including the last two as the Titans' offensive coordinator in 2019 and 2020. He previously had a stint with Washington as its defensive quality control coach in between college stops at North Carolina (2006) and Mississippi (2010).
The 37-year-old Slowik met with the Jets in a video interview since the Texans remain in the playoffs and are preparing to face the Chiefs in Kansas City on Saturday.
He's in his second year running the Texans' offense with quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was last season's AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has been one of the league's most dynamic young playmakers.
Slowik, whose father Bob coaches in the CFL after several years as an NFL assistant, spent six years as an assistant under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco before joining the Texans. The Princeton, New Jersey, native started his pro coaching career as a video assistant for Washington in 2010 before being promoted to defensive assistant, a role he held for three years. Slowik then worked at Pro Football Focus as a senior analyst for three years before being hired by the 49ers.
The Jets are also conducting an extensive search for a new general manager. They have interviewed 15 candidates for that position, including Green Bay Packers executive Jon-Eric Sullivan and Miami Dolphins assistant general manager Brian Gaine on Tuesday.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
