2016 Senior Bowl: Michigan State’s Connor Cook declines invitation
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
January 10, 2016 2:32 pm ET
Connor Cook had his hands full in the College Football Playoffs. (USATSI) Connor Cook had his hands full in the College Football Playoffs. (USATSI)
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has turned down his invitation to the 2016 Senior Bowl, according to a source. He is considered a possible first-round pick and a top-five quarterback prospect in this year’s class.
The Senior Bowl is scheduled for Jan. 30 in Mobile, Alabama, with daily practices taking place the week leading up to the game.
With Cook out, Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen takes his spot. The Senior Bowl will have eight quarterbacks in Mobile, including Allen, Jacoby Brissett (NC State), Jake Coker (Alabama), Jeff Driskel (Louisiana Tech), Kevin Hogan (Stanford), Cody Kessler (USC), Dak Prescott (Mississippi State) and Carson Wentz (North Dakota State).
For Cook, it’s a missed opportunity as many around the league believe Wentz, who has accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl, is the top senior prospect at the position. Cook likely would have been paired with Wentz on the North Squad, a chance to compete under the tutelage of the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff.
Cook leaves Michigan State with several school records, including career touchdown passes (71) and winning percentage (.872, 34-5), but not every NFL scout is sold on him as a reliable starter at the next level. Although he has the desired size, arm strength and experience, Cook never finished above 59 percent completions in any of this three seasons as a starter due to inconsistent decision-making and accuracy.
Cook’s leadership has also been a question mark and scouts are eager to see how he handles himself throughout the draft process.
It’s not an unprecedented move for Cook to sit out the event, but the first senior quarterback drafted each of the last three years competed at the Senior Bowl. And it might be four straight if Wentz is the top senior passer drafted in April.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/25444775/senior-bowl-michigan-states-connor-cook-declines-invitation
I am most interested in Wentz, Coker, and Hogan.
Agamemnon