Brandin Cooks Leaving For NFL

Brandin Cooks has made his decision to forego his senior season, and enter the NFL draft a year early. He has scheduled a press conference to say goodbye this afternoon at 3 PM.

You can watch the press conference here: http://pac-12.com/videos/oregon-state-university?DB_OEM_ID=30800

Cooks, a consensus All-American who also earned  the 2013 Biletnikoff Award as the nation's most outstanding college receiver, hasn't hired an agent, and technically can withdraw his name up through Jan. 18, but his departure is one that makes too much business sense to pass up.

UPDATE:

Cooks is interviewing agents, but hasn't signed one. He said he is fully intending to go forward with his decision to go pro, but by delaying the agent signing, he's (wisely) keeping the door open in the event something unexpected arises. Cooks declined to share what the NFL Analysis grade process results were.

Cooks is enrolled for winter term, in on-line classes, in order to work toward completing his degree while also training for the combine and pro days. He said both James Rodgers and Marcus Wheaton encouraged him to finish his degree soon rather than put it off since he is close to completing it. He said he should complete his degree by next winter, and intends to do so, and become the first person in his family to get a degree.

Cooks said he thought about the decision after the Civil War, but once the Beavers were selected for a bowl game, set deliberations aside to concentrate on bowl preparations, and then after the bowl, sat down with his family and discussed the decision.

Cooks also said both head coach Mike Riley and receivers coach Brent Brennan encouraged him to do whatever is best for him and his family, that that would (also) be best for the program.

Cooks summed things up, saying "Everyone from #BeaverNation has been supportive regardless of whether I decided to stay or go. That includes the fans, too. A lot of things I did this season I couldn't have done without my teammates and the coaching staff. If it wasn't for those guys, I wouldn't be in the position I am right now."

Records Set

His receiving records include:

Most receptions in 1 season -128 (Pac-12 & OSU records)

Most yards receiving in 1 season -1,730 (Pac-12 & OSU records)

Most TD receptions in 1 season - 16, (OSU record)

Most TD receptions in career - 24 (OSU record)

Most TD - QB-WR connections - 23, Sean Mannion to Brandin Cooks (OSU record)

Most receptions in 1 game - 14 vs. San Diego State (tied OSU record)

Cooks becomes only the 4th. Oregon St. player to leave early, joining running backs Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers and DB Brandon Browner.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com