Where is James Cook from? Hometown, high school and more to know about Bills RB’s Miami roots

JUMP TO: 

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has become a fan favorite for the Buffalo fanbase, as he’s developed into one of the better running backs in the league.

Cook wasn’t as highly touted coming out of college as his brother, Dalvin, but he’s earned a lucrative contract extension to remain with the Bills. Cook has successfully created his own legacy in the NFL, becoming more than just Dalvin’s brother.

While James Cook has found a home in western New York, he earned his way to the NFL in warmer-weather areas. Here’s a breakdown of Cook’s hometown and how he made his way to the NFL.

MORE: Meet Josh Allen’s family tree

Where is James Cook from?

James Cook was born and raised in Miami, Florida

Now, as a Bills player, Cook gets to play in Miami every year when he plays the Miami Dolphins. However, the first time he got to play in Hard Rock Stadium came in college, and he was extremely grateful for the opportunity to return.

“Just playing at Hard Rock Stadium, it just gives me chills because I ain’t never really played in the Hard Rock Stadium,” Cook said in 2021 before the Orange Bowl, which was his first game back in Miami, via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “So just playing in front of my family is going to be good. I’m at home.”

Dalvin Cook had a similar homecoming, as he was named the 2016 Orange Bowl MVP thanks to 145 rushing yards, 62 receiving yards and a touchdown. In 2021, James produced 112 receiving yards, 32 rushing yards and a score himself, albeit he wasn’t named MVP.

James explained what he advice he took from Dalvin before that first homecoming game.

“I mean, he really didn’t give me no advice, but all I ever knew was just play football,” he said in 2021. “There’s no advice he could give me other than that. Just playing at home is always good just in front of my family and friends.”

MORE: Who are the 15 greatest Bills players ever?

James Cook high school

Cook spent his high school career playing for Miami Central High School, as he was a two-way player through his senior season. For his final semester of high school, Cook transferred to Miami Northwestern Senior High School, which is where he graduated before attending college.

As part of the class of 2018, Cook was 247 Sports’ No. 41 overall player and No. 3 overall running back. In his senior season, he logged 91 carries for 782 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on offense, while also recording three interceptions on defense. He frequently lined up in the slot as well, proving to be a dangerous receiving threat.

Besides playing football, Cook was also a track-and-field athlete in high school as both a runner and a shot-put thrower.

MORE: When is the last time the Bills went to a Super Bowl?

Where did James Cook go to college?

Cook played college football at the University of Georgia, where he was part of several highly successful Bulldogs teams. Over his four years, Georgia went 45-8, capped by a national championship in Cook’s final season.

That outcome wasn’t always in the cards. Cook originally committed to Florida State, where his brother Dalvin was a star running back, before flipping to Georgia to forge his own path.

“I think it was the best thing for him to kind of branch out from my name, to just be him,” Dalvin said, via The New York Post. “There was going to be a standard that they kind of held him to. … I didn’t want that for him. I wanted him to do his own thing and create his own legacy; just be James.”

MORE: What is a Buffalo Bill? Explaining NFL nickname inspired by Wild West icon

James Cook college stats

Cook was never a true bell-cow running back at Georgia, instead serving as a rotational piece in the Bulldogs’ offense. His junior season was cut short, but he played in all 15 games during Georgia’s 2021 national championship run, setting career highs in nearly every category.

MORE: Sean McDermott career timeline — teams coached, total wins and more