When the transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, one of the most productive running backs in college football will be available, even if his name hasn’t yet reached mainstream recognition.
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 top offensive weapons on the market. Cook piled up 1,659 rushing yards during the 2025 season and earned Conference USA MVP, Newcomer of the Year, and All-America honors in his lone season with the Gamecocks. With one year of eligibility remaining, his availability could not come at a better time for programs in need of an instant-impact back, including Arkansas.
Cam Cook's Historic Season Hidden in Plain Sight
At 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, Cook checks every box from a physical standpoint, but it’s his production that truly separates him. He finished the season with 1,945 total yards from scrimmage, the most of any player in the FBS, while surpassing 100 total yards in all 13 games he played. Cook also scored 16 touchdowns for a Jacksonville State team that reached the CUSA Championship Game, serving as the engine of one of the most consistent offenses in the Group of Five.
Despite those eye-popping numbers, Cook remains somewhat under the radar nationally, a reality that often comes with producing at the lower levels of the FBS. For fans who aren’t football junkies, it’s easy to miss just how special a season Cook put together at Jacksonville State. History shows, however, that elite production doesn’t always fade or disappear when talent moves up a level. Instead, it often has the opportunity to thrive more with better infrastructure, stronger competition, and increased exposure.
Why Arkansas Makes Sense
The Razorbacks face a looming need at running back with starter Mike Washington Jr. out of eligibility and no clear-cut successor firmly established on the roster. Arkansas will be searching for both immediate production and experience in the backfield, and Cook offers both in abundance.
There’s also a strong continuity factor that could make Fayetteville an appealing destination. Cook’s offensive coordinator at Jacksonville State, Clint Trickett, is now on Arkansas’ staff as the Razorbacks’ quarterbacks coach. If anyone has an intimate understanding of Cook’s skill set, work ethic, and fit within the offense, it’s Trickett. That prior relationship could be a major advantage for Arkansas as it navigates the portal.
Cook’s journey to this point has been anything but linear. A Round Rock, Texas native, he began his career at TCU in 2023 before emerging as the Horned Frogs’ leading rusher in 2024 with 460 yards and nine touchdowns. His breakout at Jacksonville State elevated him to national recognition, including a semifinalist nod for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation’s top running back.
The next step is proving that his dominance can translate back to the Power Four and there may be no better stage than the SEC. For Cook, the opportunity to showcase his ability against the nation’s toughest defenses could significantly boost his draft stock. For Arkansas, landing a proven, battle-tested runner with elite production could stabilize an offense searching for consistency.
Everything lines up: fit, opportunity, familiarity, and need. Now it’s up to Arkansas to act when the portal opens on Jan. 2 and potentially secure the next under-the-radar star ready to make noise on college football’s biggest stage.