April 29, 2006

After spending Saturday morning grocery shopping with his father, Ryan Cook had quite an afternoon. The former walk-on from Albuquerque's Cibola High School was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the second round of the 2006 National Football League Draft being held this weekend in New York City. Cook was the 51st overall pick.

Among former Lobos, only first-round selections Brian Urlacher (9th overall pick to Chicago in 2000) and Robin Cole (21st to Pittsburgh in 1977) - both linebackers - were taken higher in the Draft than Cook. UNM's first drafted player, Bill Dwyer in 1939, was also the 51st overall selection, going to the Chicago Cardinals.

Officially listed at 6-6 5/8 and 328 pounds by the NFL, Cook was an invited walk-on to UNM in the fall of 2001. After receiving a scholarship before the 2002 season, he blossomed into a three-time all-Mountain West Conference selection from 2003-05. Cook played in 49 games, starting the final 44 since the middle of his freshman season.

Cook will celebrate his 23rd birthday on May 8. His younger brother, Erik, is currently a freshman center for the Lobos.

Quotes From Ryan Cook

Q: Any more thoughts on what position you might play?
A: Center or guard, one of those two. It hasn't really changed. I'm just happy to be a part of the Vikings organization and hopefully learn from some of these older veterans.

Q: Do you think tackle is out of the mix?
A: I don't think anything is out of the mix. Maybe after I get accustomed here, I can hopefully get in and start doing something.

Q: Are you looking forward to working with Matt Birk?
A: Most definitely; he's a Pro Bowler, and I can definitely learn some tricks of the trade from him and some of the other guys, Steve Hutchinson as well.

Q: What are your first impressions of the new coaching staff?
A: The Vikings seem like a great organization, and I look forward to working with Coach Morris and Coach Childress as well.

Q: How many coaches have you met?
A: I just met Coach Morris right now. I haven't had a chance to meet Coach Childress yet.

Q: What do you think would be the biggest challenge in making the transition from center to guard?
A: Probably just being down in a three-point stance as opposed to snapping the football. Other than that, I'm just happy to be here and looking forward to it.

Q: What have the last 24 hours been like for you, a whirlwind?
A: It's been kind of hectic, but it's a great opportunity. The climate is a little bit different than Albuquerque, but overall it's great.

Q: How much interest do you know the Vikings had in you?
A: Well there was a lot of interest from a bunch of different teams, but I'm glad the Vikings took me. Overall I think it's just a great opportunity.

Q: How did you end up at center with your size?
A: Actually I played center my whole life. In high school I started out at center and it just stuck with me into college and now I guess here as well.

Q: Were you this tall heading into college? Was your quarterback this tall?
A: No, he was a little bit shorter, to say the least. Getting into college I was probably 6' 4''. I kind of grew a little bit to 6' 7'' like I am now.

Q: Did your quarterback ever hit you in the back of the helmet with the ball?
A: No, we never seemed to have that problem. A lot of people had a lot of questions about that, me being so tall and him having to throw over the top of me, but we never seemed to have any problems with that.

Q: Did you have any full scholarships from any schools?
A: I had a I-AA offer to Eastern Mexico, but I knew I could always play division I football, so I decided to pursue the walk-on opportunity at New Mexico.

Q: Was it your hometown school?
A: I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, so I went to the hometown school there. It was just a great opportunity to play in front of friends and family.

Q: Do you think you got less traffic from scouts in New Mexico or was it a revolving door with scouts coming through?
A: I think it's pretty much a revolving door. If you're a talented player, I think the scouts are going to come and find you no matter where you are. I don't think there is any opportunity better than the University of New Mexico for anyone.

Q: Do you follow the mock drafts?
A: That's too much for me. I just tried to sit back and relax as much as possible and wait for yesterday to come. Now that it's come, it's just a great opportunity for me.

Q: How different is it for you not knowing what city you will end up in?
A: Well that was definitely nerve-racking from time to time there, but you just take it one day at a time and hope to find out where you're going. Now I'm in Minnesota, and I'm happy to be here and looking forward to the opportunity to get going and working hard.

Q: Is Brian Urlacher a guy you look up to?
A: Most definitely; I talk to him on a regular basis. He's the highest player drafted from the University of New Mexico, so he's kind of an idol, per se, in New Mexico. Everyone looks up to him, and I look up to him as well.

Q: Have you talked to him lately?
A: I talked to him yesterday as a matter of fact. He wished me congratulations.

Q: Did he call you?
A: Yes.

Q: Now you will have a rivalry with him.
A: That's all right. We'll have our friendly battles I guess.

Lobos Football

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