Meet Vikings Tackle # 62 Ryan Cook

Ryan Cook was born on May 8, 1983, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is the son of Rick and Vicki Cook. Ryan has a younger brother Erik, who is currently attending the University of New Mexico. Ryan played high school football for Cibola High, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, as an offensive tackle, under coach Ben Schultz. Cook was a three year Letterman, and earned First All-Team City, and Second All-Team State honors his senior year in high school. As a sophomore, Ryan received Second Team All-City honors. In his senior year, Ryan accepted an invitation to the New Mexico North-South High School Game. Ryan decided to attend the University of New Mexico, and study in General Management.

Cook was originally a walk-on for the University of New Mexico, and he impressed the coaches so much with his work ethic and ability, that he eventually earned a scholarship. Ryan decided to red shirt as a true freshman, and then play his freshman season in 2002. In 2002, Cook's freshman season, he burst onto the scene, and established himself as an anchor on the Lobo line, a spot he would hold for the next three years. Cook made his first career start at UNLV, and after a foot injury, he made eight starts for New Mexico. New Mexico faced UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl, Cook's freshman season.

In his sophomore season in 2003, Cook earned All Mountain West Conference First Team honors, and was a full-time starter for the Lobos. He helped lead his team to a second place finish in the Mountain West Conference, with an 8-5 record. This was the best record for New Mexico since their 9-4 finish in 1993. Cook helped pave the way for teammate Dontrell Moore to set a career high 242 yards rushing versus Colorado State, and also helped Moore set a school record 1,450 yards rushing, and 21 touchdowns during that season. Cook and his Lobos played in the Las Vegas Bowl against Oregon State.

In 2004, Ryan Cook again earned first team All Mountain West Conference honors, and helped New Mexico to a 7-5 record, and their third straight bowl bid. This season, the Lobos played in the Emerald Bowl against Navy. New Mexico had their third straight winning season, placing third overall in their division. Cook once again help pave the way for Dontrell Moore to rush for 1,091 yards. This was Moore's third straight 1,000 yard rushing season.

In 2005, Ryan Cook earned his third straight season of being selected to the First Team All Mountain West Conference honors. Cook started in all 11 games for the Lobos, and helped lead his team to a 6-5 record. In Cook's four seasons at New Mexico, he never endured a losing season. Cook open holes for Dontrell Moore, to help him rush for 1, 363 yards and 14 touchdowns, on his way to becoming the Lobos first player to earn Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. Moore also became the first player for New Mexico, and the first Mountain West Player to earn First Team honors all four seasons he played.

Ryan Cook played in 49 career games while at New Mexico. He played in all of his final 44 games for the Lobos, earned First Team honors for three concseutive seasons. Cook became the first New Mexico center to earn those awards. Cook was tabbed Third Team All American by the NFL Draft Report after his junior season, and participated in the Senior Bowl. He started out as a walk on for New Mexico, and ended up as one of the most decorated players in Lobos history. Ryan joined Hank Baskett in the Senior Bowl, marking it the first time ever two Lobos played in the Senior Bowl. Ryan Cook was then Drafted in 2006 by the Minnesota Vikings.

Cook became the second center drafted in 2006, behind Nick Mangold, who went 29th overall. Cook was taken in the second round, 51st overall, and can single handedly provide the Vikings with depth at several spots. Ryan was the highest player from New Mexico to be drafted to the NFL, since the Chicago Bears took Brian Urlacher in the first round in 2000. Even after playing his entire Lobo career in the middle of the line, Ryan has the ability to play the guard and tackle positions. Ryan Cook played in six games in 2006, and made three starts. Ryan made his first career start against the New York Jets on December 17, then started the next two games against Green Bay on December 21st, and the St. Louis Rams on December 31st.

In 2007, Ryan has started all five games for the Vikings, providing coverage for them at Right Tackle. Cook's willingness to learn the position, hard work ethic, and abilities have guided him real well this season. Cook can also provide coverage at the guard position. He is a very big boy at 6 foot 6, and 328 pounds of human flesh. Cook is only in his second season, and his first as a starter. He will consistently provide the Vikings with good blocking from the right side, as he learns to play the game in the NFL.

SKOL COOK!!!!

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SKOL VIKINGS!!!!