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FSU's Dalvin Cook keeping focus on season, not NFL

 
Florida State's Dalvin Cook runs away from Charleston Southern's defense to score in the second half  Saturday, in Tallahassee. [AP photo]
Florida State's Dalvin Cook runs away from Charleston Southern's defense to score in the second half Saturday, in Tallahassee. [AP photo]
Published Nov. 3, 2016

With four games left in what could be his final regular season at Florida State, star running back Dalvin Cook is not looking ahead to the NFL just yet.

Unlike players with professional aspirations from the 2014 Seminoles team that fell shy of the national championship game to Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Cook plans to continue on a focused path, leading the Seminoles into their final stretch of the season.

No. 22 FSU (5-3, 2-3 ACC) visits N.C. State (4-4, 1-3) on Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

"I'm at Florida State. It's the best time of my life playing with these guys right here," Cook said Wednesday. "This is where I'm at. I'm going to be where my feet are."

Cook, who leads all Power Five players and is fourth nationally with 1,440 yards from scrimmage at 180 yards per game, could likely be a first-round pick in April's NFL draft.

But he knows that's not a forgone conclusion, just yet.

Coach Jimbo Fisher has made a considered effort to develop Cook into a well-rounded weapon during his junior season. Cook is the second-leading rusher among Power Five players with 1,069 yards, and is third on the team with 23 receptions for 371 yards.

Fisher said Cook, who feasts off long plays on the outside, has improved more as a runner between the tackles by dropping his pads and making efficient short-yardage gains.

"As you go higher levels of ball, I think that's extremely important," Fisher said. "Eventually, no matter how fast you are, those levels going up . you have to learn to go north-south and play physical. I think he's doing that more and more in his career."

Cook has received more consideration for the Heisman Trophy this season, unlike his sophomore campaign where he led Power Five running backs with 7.9 yards per carry, and was second nationally with 150.7 yards per game.

While Cook was unhappy with lack of recognition for the award in 2015, he's taking the attention in stride this season.

"Everybody is going to have their opinion of who should win what award, who should win this award," Cook said. "My opinion, I just go to work. I just keep working hard every day, and control what I can control.

"The hard work will be noticed — it can't go unnoticed."

Cook set FSU's single-season rushing record last season with 1,658 yards, and has his sights on breaking another Warrick Dunn school record. Cook needs 192 yards to be the school's all-time rushing leader. He considers even being in the same breath as Dunn, who went on to star with the Bucs, as a great honor.

Fisher said there are still times he sees Cook make a play, and reacts like "dadgum" and "again, huh?"

"He's an extremely, extremely talented guy, but he's an extremely, extremely team guy that works at the game," Fisher said. "I don't take him for granted, I know that. I know how special he is."

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While notching a career-high four rushing touchdowns against Clemson last week, cheers of "one more year" rained down at times from fans in Doak Campbell Stadium.

Despite being unable to lead the Seminoles to a national championship during his career, Cook plans to give FSU fans as much as can give them as this season winds to an end.

"They want to see No. 4 run the ball," Cook said. "It's a great feeling when you hear things like that from your home crowd."