Former Georgia Bulldog Wins Starting Job for Lions
The journey from college football glory to the NFL can be unpredictable, grueling, and at times humbling. For some players, it’s a straight shot from the draft podium to a starting role. For others, the path winds through injuries, depth charts, practice squads, and battles for respect. For one former Georgia Bulldog, that path just culminated in a moment of validation, pride, and triumph.
In a highly competitive training camp battle that had Detroit Lions fans buzzing all summer, former Georgia standout James Cook — yes, the younger brother of former Vikings star Dalvin Cook and one of the key figures in Georgia’s rise to national prominence — has officially been named the starting running back for the Lions heading into the 2025 NFL season.
For Georgia fans, it’s a proud moment that once again illustrates the program’s ability to develop not only elite talent but resilient competitors. For the Lions, it represents the emergence of a potential star who has earned his role the hard way — through grit, consistency, and undeniable production in training camp and preseason action.
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell made the announcement at a press conference following the team’s second joint practice with the Indianapolis Colts. Standing at the podium, Campbell’s tone was direct and filled with respect.
“James Cook has earned it,” he said. “He came into this camp in incredible shape, with a chip on his shoulder, and every day, he’s just stacked performances. He’s made plays in the run game, in the pass game, in protection — and he’s been a tone-setter. We’re rolling with 4-2 as our starter.”
For Cook, the announcement marks the biggest turning point of his NFL career to date. Drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he flashed moments of brilliance during his two seasons in Buffalo but struggled to carve out a consistent starting role. His explosive speed, natural pass-catching ability, and quick-cut running style made him a valuable rotational weapon, but concerns about ball security and pass protection limited his touches behind more established backs.
In the 2024 offseason, Cook signed with the Lions in free agency on a team-friendly deal that many viewed as a fresh start. The Lions, who had previously leaned heavily on David Montgomery and 2023 breakout rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, surprised many when they brought Cook into an already crowded backfield. But GM Brad Holmes and Campbell clearly saw something others didn’t.
“He’s got fire,” Holmes said earlier in camp. “Some guys come into a new team hoping to fit in. James came in wanting to take over. That’s the kind of energy we love in this building.”
That energy was evident throughout OTAs and mini-camp. Cook ran with purpose in every rep, often staying after practice to work on blocking drills and route timing with quarterback Jared Goff. Once training camp opened, he turned heads immediately, ripping off long runs, catching swing passes out of the backfield with ease, and holding his own in blitz pickup — an area he was often criticized for in Buffalo.
Then came the preseason opener. With Gibbs sitting out due to a precautionary hamstring issue and Montgomery playing limited snaps, Cook got the majority of first-half reps against the Cleveland Browns. He didn’t waste them. In just two quarters, he tallied 65 rushing yards on nine carries, caught three passes for 38 yards, and scored a touchdown on a perfectly executed angle route in the red zone. But it wasn’t just the numbers — it was the presence.
He looked fast. Confident. In command.
“I felt like myself again,” Cook told reporters after the game. “Felt like Georgia. Just ballin’.”
That reference to his Georgia days wasn’t just a nostalgic nod — it was a reminder. Because before he was an NFL running back trying to prove himself in training camp, James Cook was a household name in Athens. A key cog in Georgia’s offensive engine, Cook helped lead the Bulldogs to their first national championship in over four decades during the 2021 season. Known for his home-run ability, smooth hands, and versatility, he was a matchup nightmare for SEC defenses. In the CFP National Championship game against Alabama, Cook’s 67-yard run was a tone-shifting moment that helped open up the game for Georgia. He finished his college career with over 2,200 all-purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns — all while sharing carries with fellow future NFL backs like Zamir White.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart, when asked about Cook’s rise with the Lions, offered his support and praise.
“James was always one of the most explosive players I ever coached,” Smart said. “But more than that, he was coachable, tough, and never shied away from competition. I’m not surprised he’s earning this opportunity. I know what he’s made of.”
The NFL, however, demands more than raw talent. It demands evolution. And Cook, now 25, has clearly taken that next step in his game. Lions running backs coach Duce Staley noted that Cook’s attention to detail in the film room and willingness to work on weaknesses has set him apart.
“He’s not the same back we saw in college or even in Buffalo,” Staley said. “He’s matured, he’s tougher, he’s smarter. He’s running through arm tackles, making the right reads, and he’s fearless. That’s what it takes to be the guy.”
With Cook now officially atop the depth chart, the Lions have a dynamic trio of running backs, each with distinct skill sets. Montgomery remains a powerful short-yardage specialist and locker room leader. Gibbs, when healthy, is a speed threat and elite pass catcher. But it’s Cook who has emerged as the most complete back heading into the season opener — a fact that few would have predicted when camp began.
His rise also reflects a larger trend in Detroit’s locker room — the embrace of competition and the absence of complacency. Under Dan Campbell, jobs are not handed out based on name recognition or draft status. They are earned — on the field, in the weight room, and in the grind of training camp.
James Cook has earned his.
As the Lions prepare for what many believe could be a Super Bowl-contending season, having a reliable, versatile starter in Cook adds another weapon to an already explosive offense. Jared Goff has praised Cook’s ability to “turn check-downs into chunk plays,” while offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has hinted that Cook’s role could be more than just a traditional running back.
“We can line him up in the slot, motion him out wide, run screens — there’s a lot we can do,” Johnson said. “His versatility opens things up for us.”
For Georgia fans, this is yet another example of a former Bulldog not just reaching the NFL but thriving in it. The program has long been a pipeline to the league, particularly at the running back position. From Todd Gurley to Sony Michel, Nick Chubb to D’Andre Swift, and now James Cook, the tradition continues.
But for Cook, this moment isn’t just about continuing a tradition. It’s about defining his own legacy. After spending years in the shadow of his brother and bouncing between roles in Buffalo, he’s finally got the keys to the offense — and he plans to drive.
“I’m grateful,” Cook said after the announcement. “Grateful for my journey, for every setback, every lesson. I’ve learned, I’ve grown. Now it’s time to show the world what I can do as a starter.”
And judging by everything he’s shown so far, the world is about to find out.
