Cook, the global perspective #450 in the 247Sports composite rankings in the 2025 class, committed to Ohio State over the summer. And throughout his senior season, he was looking to prove he belonged with the Buckeyes, even if that meant playing less than 100 percent for almost his entire final season of high school football.

“This year, the best way to describe it, is kind of like a mental challenge,” Cook said. “Second week, I have a serious ankle injury and I’m playing on it for the rest of the season. It was a great year. It showed me what I’m capable of, what I can play, and then just with this team, with this coaching staff, the things that we’ve put in place with these guys, I wouldn’t ask for anything more. other.

Cook initially committed to Louisville in February, but continued to attend recruiting camps in hopes of improving, while also getting more offers, particularly one from Ohio State.

Then, after a strong performance at a June recruiting camp in Columbus, he earned an offer from offensive line coach Justin Frye. He publicly decommitted from Louisville a few days later, and a few days later he committed to Ohio State.

This year, he said, was about proving he belonged and handling the pressure of being an Ohio State commit.

“Oh, it’s extremely nice to be in this situation,” Cook said. “I mean, but one thing that comes with that is there’s a lot of pressure. Pressure is a privilege. Coach Day always says that. So that’s kind of how I took it. Every Friday night, everyone knows the guy who goes to Ohio State.

Cook, who is expected to play center at Ohio State, has moved to the offensive line this season to give himself reps at the interior positions, but also to help his offense in matchups in which they need him.

His coach, Stanley Jackson, also played at Ohio State and knows exactly what Cook is in for in just a few months. But also what he struggled with during his senior season.

“Elite toughness,” Jackson told Cleveland.com of his standout offensive lineman. “High ankle sprains are difficult to overcome. Most guys stay six weeks with this. We forced him to not play (Week 10)… But he showed elite toughness in his leadership. Jake did everything we asked him to do. When we arrived he was a little overweight, wasn’t moving well and he just did everything we asked him to do and that’s why he’s in this position. So I’m really impressed with his level of work ethic and his commitment to this.

Jackson noted Cook’s mental development during his final season, not only in the film room — where he says they approach it like it’s a college program — but also in the way which he took on a leadership role. And given Jackson’s experiences, it was helpful for Cook to learn firsthand what he’s about to experience in Columbus.

“I know what he’s getting into,” Jackson said. “So I was able to say, ‘Hey Jake, you need to understand that you’re going to another world, everything you’ve been through is about to be nothing, so you need to be ready for that.’ Because a lot of times what happens is kids are really good in high school, and you end up there and everyone is as good as you or better and you can get discouraged So I said. : “Don’t get discouraged when you have setbacks early in the season or early in your career, because you’re supposed to because these guys that have been in this program, they’re all three, four and five stars like. you And so I prepare him a lot for what this stage will be like.

Cook did that prep work as much as he could, receiving texts from Frye on technique throughout the season to help him prepare for the move to Big Ten football. He is expected to enroll early in January, which means the clock is ticking on his high school life.

“I mean, you get all these things about him and recruiting, I mean, it’s whatever, what he does with that O-line on the field, how they go about it and do everything – it “That’s what really matters to me,” Cook said. “I know the development is there and when I step in, I can learn from the guys (already there).”

Cook is doing his part to recruit other offensive linemen in the 2025 class, including Micah DeBose and Damola Ajidahun. Both of these perspectives are currently engaged elsewhere. But as in Cook’s case, he’s doing what he can to help bolster the Buckeyes’ class if that means adding other programs.

In the meantime, Cook has received advice from his coaching staff on what it means to be a Buckeye — even if some of the advice is unorthodox.

Jackson explained that before going to Ohio State, his coach (who also played at Ohio State) told him that he had to use the restroom before running through the tunnel because there would be no another chance to do it. .

“So I tell Jake, ‘So before you come out of the tunnel for the first time, make sure you use the toilet so you don’t pee yourself,'” Jackson said with a laugh. “Because the energy you get from the tunnel is second to none. It cannot be replaced or replicated. Ohio State is a special place and I just want him to enjoy every moment. At the end of the day, I told him, ‘Jake, just make sure you’re going to a place where you’re going to enjoy it.’ Because a lot of times it becomes a business. Coaches are paid a lot of money, there’s a lot of pressure and it’s easy to not enjoy those moments and what you do is special. So enjoy every moment because it is second to none.