Several teams revamping their infrastructure with new coaches, such as LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Florida, and Auburn, plan to be very active once the transfer portal opens next week.
LSU, Lane Kiffin targeting Cam Cook?
Jacksonville State running back Cam Cook could be a top prize in this year’s portal. Cook starred for the Gamecocks, rushing for 1,659 yards and 16 touchdowns on 295 carries (5.6 per attempt) over the course of his junior season. Cook has 25 touchdowns in his career.
He led college football in rushing, added 30 receptions for 286 yards, and helped the Gamecocks to a 9-5 record and a spot in the IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl. Cook earned Conference USA Player of the Year honors.
Cook skipped the bowl game to prepare for the portal and search for a new team. Many Power 4 teams want him in their backfield, making it a competitive battle to land him.
According to PFSN’s Ryan Guthrie, Cook would fill a major need in Kiffin’s offense.
“LSU’s rushing attack struggled mightily last season, averaging just 106 rushing yards per game,” writes Guthrie. “Their leading rusher finished with only 505 yards, an uncharacteristic output for a program built on offensive talent.”
Given the investment LSU made in bringing in Kiffin as their new head coach, they are also expected to invest in top on-field 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,” says Guthrie. “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.”
LSU’s PFSN CFB Offense Impact score last season was 74.8 (grade C), and the run game was their clear weakness. Guthrie notes that LSU’s leading rusher was 5’9 “Caden Durham, with 505 yards and three scores on 106 carries. Harlem Berry had 446 yards on 101 attempts; no one else broke 151 yards rushing.
Kiffin’s Ole Miss squad was highly productive on the ground. Star running back Kewan Lacy rushed for 1,366 yards and 21 touchdowns on 273 attempts.
Kiffin wants a dependable back like Lacy in Oxford, and Cook, who carried the ball nearly 300 times this season, fits that role.
Cook is 5’11 and 200 lbs, from Round Rock, Texas. He signed with TCU in 2023, rushing for just 58 yards as a freshman. Cook had 460 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024, but, after averaging only 3.9 yards per carry, entered the portal and landed at Jacksonville State.
With LSU likely to be active in the portal and Kiffin seeking a productive running back who can carry the load for the Tigers in 2026, a Cook-LSU pairing makes sense.
