Brandin Cooks: A Collegiate Career Overview

Brandin Tawan Cooks, born on September 25, 1993, is an American professional football wide receiver. Before his successful NFL career, Cooks made a name for himself playing college football for the Oregon State Beavers. This article delves into his college career, highlighting his statistics, achievements, and impact on the Oregon State football program.

Early Life and High School Career

Brandin Cooks was born in Stockton, California. He attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, where he played high school football for the Trojans. As a sophomore, Cooks recorded 29 receptions for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. As a junior, he had 46 receptions for 783 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also collecting three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. As a senior, Cooks had 66 receptions for 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Arrival at Oregon State

Cooks made an immediate impact for Oregon State in their 3-9 season. He played in all 12 games with three starts and recorded 31 receptions for 391 yards and three touchdowns. On October 15, against BYU, he had three receptions for 90 yards and his first collegiate receiving touchdown, which came on a 59-yard reception from quarterback Sean Mannion, in the 38-28 loss.

2011 Season: Freshman Year

In his first year with the Beavers, Cooks quickly showcased his potential.

Receptions: 31
Receiving Yards: 391
Touchdowns: 3

2012 Season: Sophomore Surge

Cooks continued to develop as a sophomore, becoming a more prominent part of the Oregon State offense. On October 27, against Washington, he had nine receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown in the 20-17 loss. On November 3, against Arizona State, he had six receptions for 116 yards in the 36-26 victory. Overall, he had 67 receptions for 1,151 yards and five touchdowns.

Receptions: 67
Receiving Yards: 1,151
Touchdowns: 5

The combination of Cooks and Markus Wheaton created one of the most dynamic receiving duos in college football and Oregon State history.

2013 Season: Record-Breaking Junior Year

The 2013 season was a defining one for Cooks, marked by exceptional performances and numerous accolades. Cooks started the 2013 season with 13 receptions for 196 yards and two touchdowns in the 49-46 loss to Eastern Washington. In the next game, against Hawaii, he had seven receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns in the 33-14 victory. One week later, against Utah, he had nine receptions for 210 yards and three touchdowns in the 51-48 victory. The performance marked his only game as a Beaver with three receiving touchdowns. In the following game against San Diego State, he had a collegiate career-high 14 receptions for 141 yards in the 34-30 victory. His 14 receptions tied a school single-game record with Mike Hass and Isaiah Hodgins. He continued to perform well with nine receptions for 168 yards and two touchdowns against Colorado in the next game, a 44-17 victory. Cooks started October with 11 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns against Washington State in the 52-24 victory. In the following week against California, he had 13 receptions for a collegiate career-high 232 yards and a touchdown in the 49-17 victory.

Receptions: 128
Receiving Yards: 1,730
Touchdowns: 16

Accolades and Recognition

Biletnikoff Award Winner
Consensus All-American

College Statistics

Here's a summary of Brandin Cooks' college statistics:

Year	Games	Receptions	Yards	Avg	TD
2011	12	31	391	12.6	3
2012	12	67	1,151	17.2	5
2013	13	128	1,730	13.5	16
Total	37	226	3,272	14.5	24

Impact and Legacy at Oregon State

Brandin Cooks left an undeniable mark on the Oregon State football program. His record-breaking 2013 season solidified his place as one of the greatest receivers in school history. His explosive playmaking ability and consistent performance made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Beyond the statistics, Cooks' work ethic and dedication set an example for his teammates. He was a leader on and off the field, and his positive attitude was infectious.

Transition to the NFL

Cooks' outstanding college career paved the way for him to enter the NFL. Cooks was selected by the New Orleans Saints as the 20th overall pick of the first round of the 2014 NFL draft; the Saints traded up from the 27th spot, giving their first and third-round picks to the Arizona Cardinals in return for Arizona's first-round pick, in order to get Cooks. Cooks was the highest drafted player out of Oregon State since Ken Carpenter went 13th overall in the first round of the 1950 NFL draft.

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