Nov. 6, 2008

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina junior defensive back Emanuel Cook is one of 13 semifinalists for this season’s Jim Thorpe Award. The award, named after Oklahoma born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back that best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Cook sat down recently to discuss his career and future with the Carolina Gamecocks.

Cook, a 5-10, 203-pound junior from Riviera Beach, Fla., leads the Gamecocks and is seventh in the SEC in tackles with 72, an average of 8.0 per game, with a high of 14 in the win at Ole Miss. He was a second-team All-SEC selection a year ago.

The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists on Monday, November 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Thursday, December 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Monday, February 11, 2009.

Jim Thorpe is generally considered history’s greatest all-around athlete – a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also as a defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as “The Legend,” Thorpe also played professional baseball and won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics decathlon and pentathlon.

Here is a closer look inside the huddle with E. Cook.

Inside the Huddle with Emanuel Cook
By Emily Steele

Q: Why did you decide to come to South Carolina?
“I wanted to come to USC because of the atmosphere, the community and the team. I wanted to help make changes here.”

Q: Considering where you are in the season, how are you gearing up for the second half of SEC opponents and Clemson?
“I’m going to take care of my body first and sit down and watch film to correct all of the mistakes we’ve made. Then try to put the last few weeks behind us and look forward to the next one.”

Q: What are some of the differences between past teams and this year’s team?
“On this year’s team we have a greater sense of unity. We go out together and do mostly everything together. A couple of seasons ago we had a group of people doing one thing on this side of the locker room and another group doing their own thing on the other side of the locker room.”

Q: What do you bring to your position that makes you different from any past players?
“We had a lot of great players here before me. Ko Simpson did a great job and caused a lot of turnovers. But I think what makes me different is I bring great tackling abilities to the team.”

Q: What is the feeling you get when you hit one of your opponents? And what is your most memorable hit?
“I get hyped up every time I hit somebody. I have to because I have to let them know I’m here and that I’m bringing it all night. It’s a great feeling and it keeps the team aroused as well. Last season, the hit I had on Darren McFadden was a big hit and forced a fumble. He’s a pretty good player and I have a lot of respect for him.”

Q: What are some goals you made this year and have you achieved any so far?
“My main goal this year is to get our team to a bowl game. As far as personal goals, I just want to lead the team in tackles like I’ve done before.”

Q: How has the adjustment to Coach Johnson’s new system this season been?
“It’s been pretty easy. We’ve been running it since the spring and it’s nothing too difficult. He pretty much simplified the defense for us and made it a little better.”

Q: How do you feel you have grown since the season started?
“I think the team and defense has grown as a whole. Everyone is learning their assignment and learning the right spots. We’ve just all come together and learned what it takes to succeed.”

Q: When you were growing up, watching football, were there any players you always tried to emulate?
“I always like to watch running backs because that is what I wanted to be and that is what played in high school. So I looked up to people like Warrick Dunn and John Lynch.”

Q: What was it like switching the defensive side of the ball? Would you have rather stayed a running back?
“It wasn’t that hard because I played linebacker in high school as well. I’m fine on the defensive side, I wouldn’t have changed anything.”

Q: Describe your work ethic.
“I work hard and even when I’m hurt I try to come to practice. At practice, I know that I can always get better at this and do better in that. I constantly work at my footwork and my hips. I just do whatever it takes to get better.”

Q: If you could play for any NFL teams under any coach and with any certain players, where and who would they be? What would your dream team be?
“I would love to play for Tampa Bay, they’ve always been my favorite team since I was young. They’ve got a great defense and a great coach, he is young and has a lot of life in him. But I don’t really have any specific players that I would like to play with.”

Q: How are you balancing being a student-athlete?
“I just make sure I go to class everyday and studying hard, doing everything I have to do to get through and pass the semester. It has gotten easier over the three years I’ve been here, I just make sure to follow directions and do all the work my teachers give me.”

Q: What is the most valuable thing you learned here at USC?
“I learned to just do your job and not try to make too many plays, just do the job your assigned.”

Q: What do you enjoy or what sort of joy do you get playing at Williams-Brice Stadium?
“I get a bunch of joy playing here. I love the fans, they really appreciate the team and they do all they can to support us. When they come out to the Gamecock Walk, they show a lot of love and I really appreciate the fans.”

Q: Tell me about the new routine of the Gamecock Walk and what it’s like.
“It’s a lot of fun. You walk through the crowd and see a bunch of people that are calling your name. You almost feel like a rock star and gets you hyped and ready to play.”

Q: What does it mean to you to be a Gamecock? What is your favorite part it?
“It means a lot and it’s like my family here. They took me in three years ago and I barely get to go home, so it’s like home to me. And my favorite thing is running out of that tunnel to “2001” for every game.”

Q: Who on the team inspires you the most?
“I did have a friend on the team, Chris Hampton (who graduated last year). He wasn’t very athletic but he was very smart. He knew his plays and he knew everybody else’s plays. I strive to be more like him.”

Q: How would your teammates describe you or how would you want them to describe you?
“I don’t know how my teammates would describe me but I would say that I’m a baller and I go all out for every play.”

Q: What made you decide to major in retailing?
“I basically want to get into the business life a little bit. When I get out of school, maybe I can have a couple of businesses as a back up plan.”

Q: Describe your family and how they’ve inspired you.
“My family is very caring, they show a lot of love and do all that they can do. I really appreciate them.”

Q: What would you like to say to the Carolina fans?
“I appreciate everything and we’re going to pull off something big this year, there is still a lot of season left.”