Ryan Cook (American football)

Infobox NFLactive


name=Ryan Cook
currentteam=Minnesota Vikings
currentnumber=62
currentposition=Offensive tackle
birthdate=birth date and age|1983|5|8
birthplace=Albuquerque, New Mexico
heightft=6
heightin=6
weight=328
debutyear=2006
debutteam=Minnesota Vikings
college=New Mexico
draftyear=2006
draftround=2
draftpick=51
pastteams=
* Minnesota Vikings (2006-present)
nfl=COO225916

Ryan Cook (born May 8, 1983) is an American football player who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps will be best known for the player taken with the draft pick the Vikings received in exchange for quarterback Daunte Culpepper. A highly criticized trade and draft pick Fact|date=January 2007, the Vikings sent away their star quarterback who was coming off a career threatening injury. The pick, while highly criticized at the time of the draft due to the fact that Cook was viewed by most people as being a mid to late round draft pick Fact|date=January 2007, the Vikings selected in the second round. In his rookie season Cook went on to be inactive for much of the season, but ended the season seeing significant playing time, rotating in at right tackle, and even starting the final two games of the year.

College career

Ryan Cook played for the University of New Mexico for the 2002-2005 seasons. Originally a walk-on, he impressed the coaches with his work ethic and ability and eventually earned a scholarship. As a sophomore he became the starter for a prestigious offensive line known as "The Hitmen." Fact|date=January 2007 He earned All-Mountain West Conference First Team honors at center three consecutive years, being the first center to do so in New Mexico's history . In his career, he had 416 knockdown blocks, averaging 8.7 per game in 46 games. [ [http://golobos.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/cook_ryan00.html The University of New Mexico Official Athletic Site ] ]

His senior year, he was also invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl, and accepted the invitation to the Senior Bowl.

His younger brother Erik currently attends UNM on a football scholarship at the same position.

High School Career

Cook played offensive tackle for Cibola High School under head coach Ben Shultz. He was a three year letterman, and earned First Team All-City and Second Team All-State honors as a senior and Second Team All-City as a sophomore. He also accepted an invitation to play in the New Mexico North-South All-Star game.

Personal life

Cook was born on May 8, 1983 to Rick and Vicki Cook in Albuquerque, New Mexico. At the University of New Mexico he majored in General Management. His younger brother, Erik, will be a sophomore starting lineman for the University of New Mexico.

Notes