Cook was one of the team's most steady and dependable players the past few seasons on the offensive line. While he spent most of his career at left offensive guard, he provided excellent leadership for a young line by volunteering his services to play center in 2006. Anyone who saw his dominance over All-American Alan Branch in the Michigan game knows that wherever Cook is stationed next year, some professional team will get a sound blocking technician for its front wall.

A PrepStar All-American as a senior at Dakota High School, Cook was ranked among the nation's top 60 offensive linemen by TheInsiders.com and named to SuperPrep's All-Midwest Team after being rated among the region's top 60 prospects. He was listed among the state's top seniors by the Lansing State Journal, the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. He was also named to the Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the Detroit News Class A All-State team.

In addition, Cook was selected to the Detroit News All-Metro team and earned All-Metro East recognition from both the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. The three-year starter graded out 92 percent on his blocking assignments as a senior, allowing only one sack, as he recorded 54 knockdowns in 2001. He also lettered in basketball and track.

Cook enrolled at Michigan State, redshirting in 2002. He played in three games behind Chris Morris at center in 2003 before taking over left guard duties in 2004. That year, he graded at least 90 percent for blocking consistency in 11 of 12 contests, as he finished with 59 knockdowns.

The left guard amassed 50 knockdowns and paced the offensive line with a 94 percent grade as a junior in 2005. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention as a senior, even though he led the conference's centers with 42 of his 51 knockdowns in nine games at that position before shifting back to left guard for the final three contests.

Positives: Has a short, stocky frame with good overall thickness and bulk ideal to play center at the next level, but will have to increase his bulk if he is to play guard in the pros … His frame has the potential to add at least another 20 pounds without it affecting his quickness or flexibility … Has outstanding upper body strength, as he is the strongest player on the team, evident by the fact he knocked down defensive tackle Alan Branch 10 times in the 2006 Michigan-Michigan State game … Has good bone structure and shows the initial movement off the snap to get underneath the defender's jersey to lock on and control … Plays with good leg drive, maintaining balance to adjust and sustain his blocks … Has enough lateral range moving in space to stay on the linebacker until making the cut-off … Generates a good surge from his leg base, using his hands with force to jolt and gain leverage … Plays flat-footed with a smooth lateral slide setting up in pass protection … Calls all of the blocking assignments on the line … Extends his arms properly to maintain separation from the defender … Keeps his balance sliding laterally and shows the short-area agility to neutralize linebackers at the second level … Could shift inside to center from guard permanently at the next level to take advantage of his hand speed and ability to snap the ball … Comes out easy on the pull and follows through on his blocks when making contact upfield.

Negatives: Has to rely on sudden quickness due to his lack of ideal size … Lacks the overall power base to handle the bigger bull rushers without assistance or he could be pushed back into the pocket … Needs to add at least 20 pounds of bulk to his frame to withstand the inside punishment at the pro level … Very active with his hands, but until 2006, he struggled to get much extension and reach (worked on keeping his hands more inside his frame) … Can handle the short pull, but lacks the timed speed to run long distances … When pass protecting, he will over-extend at times and fail to bend his knees, causing him to struggle in attempts to redirect.

Compares To: Shaun O'Hara, New York Giants … Cook might lack ideal bulk and will short arm at times, but he is a sound technician with good hand punch to rock defenders back … He's a bit of a waist bender, but can anchor firmly and works well in concert with the guards … He is a better prospect at center, due to his quick hands and size, but he can also provide versatility with his experience at guard, and several teams were looking at him during the season as a potential tackle candidate.

2006: Underwent surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder.

Campus: 5.29 in the 40-yard dash … 1.82 10-yard dash … 3.07 20-yard dash … 4.51 20-yard shuttle … 7.56 three-cone drill … 28-inch vertical jump … 8-foot-5 broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 40 times.

Attended Dakota (Macomb, Mich.) High School, playing football for head coach Mike Giannone … Earned PrepStar All-American honors as a senior and was ranked among the nation's top 60 offensive linemen by TheInsiders.com … Named to SuperPrep's All-Midwest Team after being rated among the region's top 60 prospects … Listed among the state's top seniors by the Lansing State Journal, the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press … Added Detroit Free Press Dream Team and the Detroit News Class A All-State honors … In addition, Cook was selected to the Detroit News All-Metro team and earned All-Metro East recognition from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press … The three-year starter graded out 92 percent on his blocking assignments as a senior, allowing only one sack, as he recorded 54 knockdowns in 2001 … Also lettered in basketball and track.

Construction management major … Participated in the 2006 SPYN Awards (Student-Athlete Lip Sync Contest) to benefit the Children's Miracle Network … Son of Nancy and Thomas Cook … Born July 25, 1983 … Resides in Macomb, Mich.