When the transfer portal officially opens, one of the most productive players in college football will be available, even if he hasn’t yet become a household name.
Jacksonville State RB Cam Cook Enters Transfer Portal: What Teams Could Sign Him?
Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook, the current FBS rushing leader, has announced his intention to enter the portal, immediately positioning himself as one of the most valuable offensive weapons on the market. Cook rushed for 1,659 yards during the 2025 season, earning Conference USA MVP, Newcomer of the Year, and All-America honors in his lone year with the Gamecocks.
With one year of eligibility remaining, Cook’s timing couldn’t be better. He offers proven production, durability, and big-play ability, exactly what portal-hunting programs look for when searching for an instant-impact running back. Here are five landing spots that make the most sense for the underrated star.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Arkansas enters the offseason facing a major transition in the backfield. Starter Mike Washington Jr. is out of eligibility, leaving behind a significant production void. Replacing Washington won’t be easy; he quietly graded near the top of the nation with an 88.6 PFSN RB impact grade, ranking 10th nationally.
The Razorbacks need both experience and reliability, and Cook brings both in abundance. Even more compelling is the built-in familiarity. Cook’s offensive coordinator at Jacksonville State, Clint Trickett, is now on Arkansas’ staff as the quarterbacks coach. That relationship could prove crucial in the portal process.
Few coaches understand Cook’s strengths, vision, and workload capacity better than Trickett. For Arkansas, that familiarity lowers the risk and raises the ceiling, making Fayetteville one of Cook’s most logical destinations.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State finds itself in transition after losing a highly productive running back duo. Kaytron Allen, who earned an 89.9 PFSN RB impact grade (8th nationally), and Nick Singleton, who scored 13 rushing touchdowns in 2025, have both exhausted their eligibility.
The production must be replaced, and Cook could step in immediately as the centerpiece of the offense. Under new head coach Matt Campbell, Penn State will consistently lean on physical, downhill runners, and Cook’s one-cut explosiveness fits seamlessly into that identity.
Adding Cook would allow the Nittany Lions to reload rather than rebuild, and give their offense the type of instant spark it needs during a critical transition year.
LSU Tigers
LSU’s rushing attack struggled mightily last season, averaging just 106 rushing yards per game. Their leading rusher finished with only 505 yards, an uncharacteristic output for a program built on offensive talent.
With NIL resources, Lane Kiffin running the show now, and a roster built to compete immediately, LSU is expected to be aggressive in the portal. If the Tigers miss on top-tier options, Cook would represent an ideal solution, a proven workhorse with elite production and the ability to stabilize an inconsistent ground game.
South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is another program in clear need of a featured running back. The Gamecocks averaged just 111 rushing yards per game last season, and only one player surpassed 300 rushing yards, a senior who has since moved on.
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers returns as the centerpiece of the offense, and pairing him with a dynamic runner like Cook would immediately elevate the unit. A Sellers–Cook backfield tandem would force defenses to stay disciplined, opening up both the run-pass option game and downfield opportunities.
For South Carolina, Cook could be the missing piece that transforms offensive potential into consistent production.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Few teams will feel offseason losses more acutely than Georgia Tech. The departures of Jamal Haynes and quarterback Haynes King leave massive holes in an offense built around the run.
Georgia Tech averaged 203 rushing yards per game last season (19th nationally) and posted a strong 84.5 PFSN offensive impact grade, also ranking 19th in the country. Maintaining that identity is critical, and Cook would allow the Yellow Jackets to avoid any regression.
A backfield committee with Cook as the primary runner and a complementary piece would keep Brent Key’s spread-option attack humming. Cook’s vision, burst, and durability make him an ideal fit to continue generating chunk plays and wearing down defenses.