100 Days of MSU Football - Day 99

When most Bulldog fans think of the greatest MSU football players in our great history, one man's name is always a part of the discussion, among many others. Johnie Earl Cooks, born just down the road from Starkville in the delta in Leland, Mississippi, was arguably one of the greatest Bulldog players ever, if not the greatest himself. Cooks terrorized Bulldog opponents from 1977-1981, as many in the SEC began to fear seeing #99 in maroon heading there way. A giant LB at 6'2" and 251 Lbs, Cooks led the team in tackles in 1978 (115) and 1981 (123) respectively, and was the #2 overall draft pick in the 1982 NFL Draft. He is fifth in school history in career tackles (392) and fourth in sacks (24). He played 11 seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns.

#HailState99